Sports · Football · 4 hrs ago
Genee claims Ajax officials influence Sánchez's team selection
TV presenter Wilfred Genee says Ajax officials influence who plays for the club's team.
He says anonymous people inside Ajax told him that decisions about the lineup come from above coach Míchel Sánchez.
Genee pointed to left-back Jofre Torrents starting against Hajduk Split, saying Owen Wijndal could have been selected instead.
He and commentators Valentijn Driessen and Johan Derksen also discussed Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, who joined Ajax from Al-Hilal for 20 million euros.
Driessen and Derksen suggested the transfer fee could affect selection, because the club may want Leonardo to prove his value.
The discussion raised questions about how much control Sánchez has over his team, but the claims were not independently confirmed in the material provided.
No response from Ajax or next steps were reported.
Wilfred Genee claimed that Ajax officials influence which players head coach Míchel Sánchez selects.
Genee said he had heard this from unnamed people inside the club.
He cited left-back Jofre Torrents starting against Hajduk Split, saying Owen Wijndal would have been a better choice.
Johan Derksen suggested technical director Jordi Cruijff could be involved, while Valentijn Driessen pointed to pressure to field high-priced forward Marcos Leonardo.
The reports describe the claims as comments made on the Dutch television programme Vandaag Inside.
- Who
- Wilfred Genee made the claim about Ajax officials influencing head coach Míchel Sánchez.
- What
- Genee alleged that club officials indicate which players should play. The reports also cite possible pressure to field Marcos Leonardo.
- When
- The comments were reported on October 19 and 20, 2026.
- Where
- On the Dutch television programme Vandaag Inside, discussing Ajax.
- Why
- Genee said unnamed people inside Ajax told him this; Derksen and Driessen cited possible pressure linked to player sales and Leonardo’s transfer fee.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ajax Showtime and VoetbalPrimeur reported Genee’s comments on Vandaag Inside.
FCUpdate.nl published a report on Genee’s claim and the discussion about Ajax team selection.
- Claim source
- Unnamed people inside Ajax, according to Genee
- Head coach
- Míchel Sánchez
- Cited match
- Hajduk Split 2-1 Ajax
- Left-back discussed
- Jofre Torrents
- Alternative named
- Owen Wijndal
- Leonardo transfer fee
- €20 million
3 sources
What people are saying
Ik krijg van mensen binnen Ajax door dat het bij Ajax van bovenaf wordt aangegeven wie er moeten spelen en hoe dat moet gaan.
Er spelen bij zo'n club bepaalde dingen, dat een directie zegt: we willen hem verkopen, ze komen kijken voor hem, zet hem erin.
Deze jongen heeft twintig miljoen gekost. Je kan niet twintig miljoen in een jaar afschrijven, dus hij moet het wel laten zien.