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As football fans ourselves we look forward to launching this new book by Cork journalist Dylan O'Connell which explores the history of one of the greatest and most influential clubs in EuropeIn 1894 a group of friends had an idea and it led to the creation of Ajax, a football club for the people of Amsterdam. More than one hundred years later and that club has become an institution for youth development, a school of ideas that underpins the modern game and a club synonymous with the Total Football ideal.
The Dutch superpower created a way of playing that is now accepted as the norm by European titans AC Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United - as well as a host of national teams.
The Ajax Way tells the full history of the club while looking at the reaches of Total Football: the way of playing perfected by Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. It traces the club's rise as a social hub for the people of Amsterdam to the creation of a team that would win three consecutive European Cups in the early 1970s; and added a fourth in 1995 under Louis Van Gaal.
It reveals a host of footballing greats - players and coaches - who have been undoubtedly influenced by Ajax, from early day pioneers through to current day icons Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. Packed with tactical insight and social history, it is a story that spans three centuries and stretches across the globe, but at its core is Ajax Amsterdam and their roster of stars.
Dylan O'Connell is a sportswriter based in Cork in the Republic of Ireland. He has written for a range of publications including the Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, Irish Times, Balls.ie, The Mirror, RTE, and The 42. A seasoned international football writer, he has travelled across Europe covering Republic of Ireland internationals and several Champions League finals. O'Connell has also interviewed several high-profile figures in world football, including Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
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