In Split, where Ajax’s Conference League night ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hajduk, Michel González found himself under scrutiny beyond the result. The Madrid-born coach is in his first season in Amsterdam and is attempting to pull the fifth-placed Dutch side closer to the Eredivisie summit, but concerns over his communication have become a prominent talking point.
Language debate follows Ajax coach
González, formerly Girona’s manager, has supporters as well as critics in the Netherlands. His command of language, however, has become a particular source of debate after more than three months in the country.
- He has not yet appeared comfortable speaking English in public.
- At Girona, he showed an early willingness to speak Catalan and was able to do so reasonably well in public-facing situations.
- After the loss in Split, he had difficulty expressing himself during his post-match comments.
Former Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld questioned how the coach communicates with an Ajax squad containing players who may not understand Spanish.
“I wonder how he speaks to his team: in English or Spanish?” Alderweireld said. “Many people do not understand Spanish and understand English better, but if you speak like that…”
Alderweireld also argued that using an interpreter would not fully resolve the issue, pointing out that the delivery of emotion and passion can be lost in translation.
Frank de Boer, the former Barcelona and Netherlands player, was even more cutting in his assessment. “It is embarrassing to sit and listen to him,” he said.
De Boer questions Torrents introduction
De Boer’s criticism extended to González’s substitutions in Croatia. He objected to the second-half introduction of Jofre Torrents, a 19-year-old left-back making his first appearance, in what he considered a hostile setting.
- Ajax were beaten 2-1 by Hajduk Split in the Conference League.
- Torrents entered during the second half for his debut.
- De Boer said he would have preferred to see Wijndal selected instead.
“You bring on a left-back who has never played before,” De Boer said. “I do not want to put it all on him, because it is not only his fault, but giving that 19-year-old his first match in such a hostile atmosphere… Honestly, I would rather have seen Wijndal.”
For González, the immediate task is to restore Ajax’s momentum on the field while a difficult European evening in Dalmatia continues to fuel questions around his decisions and his ability to make himself understood in Amsterdam.
