Francesco Farioli has resigned as Ajax coach, a day after they finished runners-up in the Eredivisie.
Technical director Alex Kroes called the departure “incredibly disappointing.”
Ajax dramatically lost the title to PSV Eindhoven after squandering a nine-point lead in their final five matches.
“Francesco Farioli has decided to leave Ajax after careful consideration,” the club stated.
Farioli, who took over last May and had revived the team after a poor start, said he had “different visions” with the board on the club’s future direction.
“I feel deep in my heart that this is the best moment to part ways,” the 36-year-old Italian said.
Kroes expressed his frustration, noting Farioli and his staff “have been a great help.”
He added that Farioli’s exit, just a year into his three-year deal, complicates an already “challenging transfer window.”
Ajax aims to have a new coach before pre-season starts on June 26. Farioli was Ajax’s first non-Dutch coach since 1998.
