AJAX'S head of scouting, Kelvin de Lang, made an unexpected exit from the club on Monday. De Lang started his role at Ajax in 2023 as head of international relations and scouting, following a six-year stint at Manchester City, where he was a youth scout and also worked as a loan player manager.
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The 44-year-old Dutchman also took on the role of interim technical director at Ajax between November 2023 and April 2024, stepping in after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar left.
In a statement on the Ajax website, De Lang said, "It has been an intensive and educational period of two and a half years.
For most of that time, I really enjoyed my work." He added, "Due to recent developments, I have decided to reflect on my next step, and we have agreed that I will step down from my role as of January 1, 2026. I am proud to have worked for Ajax and am grateful to my colleagues for the cooperation. I hope the club will be successful again soon."
De Lang's decision to leave is reportedly linked to disagreements over transfer decisions.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, he felt his input on incoming transfers wasn't being properly considered. He reportedly clashed with the decision to loan Liverpool midfielder James McConnell, whose loan is set to end before the January transfer window. The free-agent move for former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has made just one appearance since May 2024, reportedly became the final reason for De Lang's departure. His relationship with the soon-to-be-leaving technical director, Alex Kroes, has also worsened.
Marijn Beuker, director of football at Ajax, commented, "It is a shame for us that Kelvin is leaving.
We worked pleasantly with him." Beuker added, "During the transfer windows, it was challenging for everyone involved to arrive at the right decisions together, often due to limited resources. In that respect, he always fulfilled his role well. He has further professionalised the scouting department and improved internal cooperation."
De Lang's departure leaves Ajax with four key positions to fill.
The club recently sacked manager Johnny Heitinga, and technical director Alex Kroes has announced he will be leaving soon. Earlier in September, club commissary Danny Blind stepped down from the Supervisory Board, the club's second-highest governing body.
Ajax are said to be close to appointing former Barcelona director Jordi Cruyff, who is expected to bring a Spanish head scout with him to Amsterdam.
Beuker added, "He leaves behind a strong scouting team, with whom we are now working hard in preparation for the upcoming window."
He concluded, "We know Kelvin's ambition, and I am certain that he will be able to continue his career successfully at another fine club. We wish him every success."