Ajax and Feyenoord head into the 2026/27 Eredivisie season with new coaches, after a turbulent campaign from both allowed PSV to stroll to the title.
Peter Bosz's Eindhoven side won their 27th league title by 19 points, the largest margin to second spot in Dutch top flight history, helped by both their powerful attacking prowess, and stuttering rivals.
Van Persie Out
Runners-up Feyenoord have since dismissed manager Robin van Persie after 15 months in charge in Rotterdam. The 16-time champions opted for a change after a disappointing second half of the season, in which their title charge faded away after a period of five wins in 15 matches. Seven defeats was also their joint-highest in a season since 2019. Reports suggested player unhappiness towards the end of his tenure. Other performances also contributed to the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker's dismissal, including an early second round cup exit at home to Heerenveen.
After losing a 3-1 lead in Istanbul against Fenerbahce in their Champions League Play-Off, the subsequent Europa League campaign yielded some darker European nights for a club that has enjoyed some famous continental moments in the past. Six of their eight group stage games ended in losses, a run which saw them suffer defeats to Celtic and FCSB.
Former Rangers man in
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has been re-appointed manager on a two-year contract, seven years on from his previous successful reign in charge, having led the club to one league title and two domestic cups. The 51 year-old lifted the title in 2016/2017, his first of five seasons as head coach, pipping Ajax to the championship by one point. More recent shorter spells in China and with Rangers were followed by a Turkish Super Cup trophy at Besiktas.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst ﾒ Feyenoord Media
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) June 17, 2026
First interview back home » https://t.co/7aVBa60asK pic.twitter.com/yI0rMwRhyy
While Feyenoord fans saw a less-than-happy mood, things were even bleaker last season over in their rival city of Amsterdam. A 5th place finish was Ajax's joint-lowest league position since 1999, alongside domestic cup and Champions League embarrassments; all overseen by three different managers.
Chaotic Ajax looking for rebuild
Johnny Heitinga was dismissed in November following a 3-0 home loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Fred Grim saw the team through until March, although he too departed after three wins in 11 games after the winter break, including a 6-0 drubbing away to AZ in the cup.
Former Brighton and Watford coach Oscar Garcia, managing Ajax's youth team at the time, was then given the role until the end of the season. Three wins in eight games in charge meant the club missed out on Champions League football, instead qualifying for the Conference League.
The rebuilding baton has been handed to Michel, the 50-year-old Spanish manager who most recently took Girona on a famous Champions League journey. His final season of his five-year reign ended with a win over Barcelona and draws both home and away to Real Madrid.
Starting 26/27 with a win in Serbia! ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/SwrEBxcVFL
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) July 23, 2026
Ajax's season got underway last night, picking up a comprehensive win away to Serbian side Vojvodina in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
Champions PSV kick-start their campaign on the weekend of August 8th, at home to Fortuna. Feyenoord face a trip to city rivals Sparta, while Ajax are also on the road, heading to Zwolle.
