European Cup
The most successful club in the Netherlands, with a legacy of Total Football and European glory.
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, also known as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam, or simply Ajax, is a Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam, that plays in the top tier in Dutch football. Historically, Ajax (named after the legendary Greek hero) is the most successful club in the Netherlands, with 36 league titles and 20 KNVB Cups, both records. It has continuously played in the top division since the league's inception in 1956, and along with other clubs, it is one of the country's 'big three' clubs.
Quick Facts
- Total titles won
- 4
- Consecutive wins
- 3
- Years of triumph
- 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995
- Final location (first win)
- Wembley Stadium, London
Lore & Background
Ajax was founded in Amsterdam on 18 March 1900. The club achieved promotion to the highest level of Dutch football in 1911 and had its first major success in 1917, winning the KNVB Beker. The following season, Ajax became national champion for the first time, defending its title in 1918–19 as the only team to achieve an unbeaten season in the Netherlands Football League Championship. In 1965, Rinus Michels was appointed manager, implementing Total Football, and Johan Cruyff made his debut.
Between them, they led Ajax to seven league titles, four KNVB Cups, and three European Cups. Ajax won the European Cup in 1971, 1972, and 1973, becoming the first club to win three consecutive European Cups since Real Madrid. In 1972, they completed the continental treble by winning the league, KNVB Cup, and European Cup. Ajax also won the first (albeit unofficial) European Super Cup against Rangers in January 1973.
Under Louis van Gaal, Ajax won the UEFA Cup in 1992, becoming the second club to have won all three major European club competitions. In 1994–95, Ajax became the first and only team to complete an entire league season unbeaten, and won the Champions League by defeating Milan 1–0 in the final, with the winning goal scored by 18-year-old Patrick Kluivert. Ajax reached the 1996 Champions League final but lost on penalties to Juventus.
Reader's Guide
Ajax plays at the Johan Cruyff Arena, which opened as the Amsterdam ArenA in 1996 and was renamed in 2018. They previously played at other grounds and the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium (for international matches). Throughout their history, Ajax have cultivated a reputation for scouting, spotting and developing young talent, and have remained focused on developing a youth system.
Did You Know?
- Ajax is one of five teams that have earned the right to keep the European Cup and to wear a multiple-winner badge.
- Ajax is one of four teams to win the continental treble and the Intercontinental Cup or Club World Cup in the same season/calendar year; this was achieved in the 1971–72 season.
- Ajax is one of five clubs to have won all three major UEFA club competitions played until 2021.
- Ajax won the Intercontinental Cup twice, the 1991–92 UEFA Cup, as well as the Karl Rappan Cup, a predecessor of the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1962.
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