Eredivisie 2026/27 Preview: Can Ajax Reclaim Their Throne?

Ajax Amsterdam — 36-time Eredivisie champions and the most decorated club in Dutch football — are in the middle of an identity crisis. A fifth-place finish in 2025/26, their lowest points tally since 1962, and three managers in a single season tell the story of a club that has lost its way. But with new head coach Míchel installed, exciting young talent emerging from the academy, and a point to prove, the question heading into the Eredivisie 2026/27 season is whether Ajax can finally reclaim their throne.

What Went Wrong in 2025/26

Ajax's 2025/26 campaign was nothing short of chaotic. After Francesco Farioli departed following the 2024/25 season — citing differences with the board — the club cycled through John Heitinga, Fred Grim, and caretaker Óscar García across the course of a single campaign. The instability showed on the pitch: Ajax limped to fifth place with just 56 points, finishing 28 points behind champions PSV Eindhoven.

They managed only 14 wins and drew 14 of their 34 league matches — a staggering lack of cutting edge for a club of Ajax's stature. A late-season play-off victory over Utrecht on penalties salvaged Conference League qualification, but that was cold comfort for supporters who have watched their club slide since their last title in 2021/22.

Míchel: The Man Tasked With the Rebuild

Technical director Jordi Cruyff moved decisively when he brought in Míchel — the Spaniard who guided Girona to their first-ever Champions League qualification in 2023/24. That achievement, taking a modest Catalan club and turning them into European contenders, is precisely the kind of alchemy Ajax need.

Yes, Míchel's final season at Girona ended in relegation — but the context matters. Girona were stripped of key players after their miracle season, and the squad was never adequately replaced. What Míchel showed in his best work was a commitment to attacking, possession-based football built around developing young talent. That philosophy aligns perfectly with the Ajax DNA that the club is so desperate to rediscover.

Míchel signed a contract until 2028, and the club have given him the backing to build something sustainable rather than chase short-term results. It is the kind of patience Ajax have not shown their managers in recent years — and it might be exactly what they need.

Ajax's Squad: Young, Hungry, and Talented

The brightest spot in Ajax's recent struggles has been their academy production line, which continues to churn out elite-level talent.

Mika Godts is the headline act. The Belgian winger was named Eredivisie Talent of the Year in 2025/26 after a dazzling campaign — 12 goals and 9 assists in 21 league appearances before February, finishing the season as the most successful dribbler in the league. At just 20, Godts has the pace, skill, and end product to be Ajax's talisman for years to come — if they can keep hold of him.

Oscar Gloukh, signed from RB Salzburg, offers creativity and intelligence in the number 10 role. The Israeli international scored 23 goals and registered 21 assists in 100 games for Salzburg, and his ability to find pockets of space between the lines could be the key to unlocking defences under Míchel's system.

Other names to watch include Jorthy Mokio, an exciting 18-year-old Belgian winger who made 18 first-team appearances in 2024/25; Youri Baas, who was among the league's top-rated defenders last season; and Rayane Bounida, another Belgian youngster tipped for a breakout campaign. The spine of the squad features experienced heads too — Davy Klaassen provides leadership in midfield, while Japanese internationals Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu bring solidity at the back. The summer arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko adds Champions League pedigree and tactical versatility to the defence.

PSV: Three-Peat Champions and Still the Team to Beat

PSV Eindhoven are the defending champions for the third consecutive season, and there is little to suggest they will relinquish their grip on the title easily. Under Peter Bosz, PSV scored 101 goals in 2025/26 — more than any other side — and won the title by a commanding 19-point margin.

The summer has seen some smart recruitment. Paul Wanner from Bayern Munich adds creative midfield quality, Myron Boadu returns from Monaco hoping to rediscover his best form, and Dennis Man from Parma provides pace and directness on the wing. The potential departure of some key players will need monitoring, but PSV's depth and winning mentality make them overwhelming favourites to make it four in a row.

Feyenoord: Can Van Persie's Project Evolve?

Feyenoord finished second in 2025/26 under Robin van Persie, with Ayase Ueda claiming the Golden Boot with 25 league goals. The Japanese striker's ruthless finishing kept Feyenoord competitive, and his return for another season is a significant boost.

The Rotterdam club have been busy in the transfer market, adding Spanish striker reinforcements and Belgian midfielder Charles Vanhoutte, while defender Mika Mármol arrives from free agency. If Van Persie can tighten up a defence that conceded 44 goals — 20 fewer than PSV but still too many for a genuine title challenge — Feyenoord could close the gap on the champions.

The Surprise Package: NEC Nijmegen

One of the stories of 2025/26 was NEC Nijmegen's stunning rise to third place. Under Dick Schreuder, NEC scored 77 goals — the third-highest total in the league — and qualified for the Champions League qualifying rounds. Smart signings like Tjaronn Chery, Virgil Misidjan, and goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen turned a mid-table side into genuine contenders.

The question is whether NEC can sustain that level. History suggests that surprise packages in the Eredivisie tend to regress once Europe stretches their squad, but Schreuder's side have earned the right to be taken seriously.

Key Dates for 2026/27

The Verdict: Can Ajax Actually Win It?

Let's be honest — winning the Eredivisie in 2026/27 would be a monumental achievement for this Ajax side. The gap to PSV last season was 28 points, and closing that in a single window is virtually impossible. A more realistic target is a return to the top three, Champions League qualification, and the restoration of a clear identity under Míchel.

The ingredients are there. Godts and Gloukh offer genuine star quality. The academy continues to produce. Míchel's philosophy fits the club's DNA. And the Johan Cruijff Arena remains one of the most atmospheric grounds in European football. What Ajax need now is something they have not had in years: stability.

Our prediction: PSV will win a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title, with Feyenoord pushing them harder than last season. Ajax will finish third — a significant improvement — as Míchel's project takes shape. But the title? That is probably a 2027/28 conversation. For now, the throne is still PSV's to lose.

Sources

This post was researched using the following sources:

• 2026–27 Eredivisie — Wikipedia
• 2025–26 Eredivisie — Wikipedia
• 2025–26 AFC Ajax season — Wikipedia
• Ajax transfers 2026/27 — Transfermarkt
• Ajax squad 2026/27 — afc-ajax.info
• Míchel appointed Ajax manager — NL Times
• Mika Godts named Talent of the Year — Ajax.nl
• PSV Eindhoven transfers 2026/27 — Transfermarkt
• Feyenoord transfers 2026/27 — Transfermarkt
• NEC Nijmegen 2025/26 preview — Yahoo Sports
• Eredivisie title winners all-time — Statista

Cover image: Johan Cruijff Arena, Scottbrl90 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.