Erik ten Hag believes Ajax’s “stupid” decision to sell former Manchester United star Daley Blind contributed to the Dutch side’s downfall.
The Eredivisie side endured an awful 2023/24 campaign. They were in the relegation zone in October before rallying to secure a place in Europa League qualifying.
Ajax went through four managers and three CEOs throughout the campaign. But Ten Hag believes that the decision to sell ex-Red Devil Blind to Bayern Munich midway through last season was the trigger for their misery.
“The squad is completely out of balance, you really need to improve that,” Ten Hag said to Voetbal International. “And that also takes time, maybe it will take another year, because they have made a mess of it. That is unprecedented.
“How were they able to say goodbye to players like Daley Blind and Davy Klaassen? I really thought that was so scandalous, the way that happened. So bad for Ajax.
“They should never have gotten rid of Davy Klaassen. Such a player is so important for the group, for the club. You want to guard that DNA, you must guard it. He will always continue to go for your club, even if others give up, because he is a true Ajax player. Daley Blind same story. How stupid can you be?
“It is such a beautiful club and we have created so many beautiful things there, you hope that the club can continue to build on that.”
Blind did not stay for very long at Bayern – making just five appearances in all competitions before joining Spanish side Girona. The Dutchman played a key role as the club sealed a spot in next season’s Champions League with a third place finish.
Speaking last summer, Blind previously hinted that he’d have been open to returning to United alongside Ten Hag. “No [I didn’t call him],” he said.
“To be honest, he has the same agent as me, so the connection is not that far away. But yeah, he did not really need me at that moment. He [had] already bought some players in.
“[Lisandro] Martinez as well, in the same position, and I am not blaming him for that. I am very thankful for the time [I had] with him. I learned a lot from him. I understand it.”
Blind joined United in 2014 under compatriot Louis van Gaal. He was signed for just under £14m and went on to make 141 appearances under four seasons.
Blind was sold back to his former club for around the same fee and he went on to spend another four-and-a-half years with the Dutch giants before leaving for a second time to Bayern Munich.
