Having only been at the helm of the Under 23s squad for little under a month; his appointment being Jordi Cruyff’s first act as new Sporting Director, Oscar Garcia was effectively pitched into the deep end a lot sooner than he would probably have been expecting.
Oscar García will take over Fred Grim’s duties. The head coach of Jong Ajax will, with immediate effect, take charge of Ajax’s first team. Grim will return to his role within the Ajax academy.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 8, 2026
With ex-interim boss Fred Grim dismissed following the club’s 3-1 defeat to Groningen, Garcia made an instant impact as his interim replacement in front of home fans, with a 4-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam.
This was then followed by a creditable 1-1 draw away at rivals Feyenoord, before tripping up at home to FC Twente in a 2-1 defeat and then securing an emphatic 3-0 away win at Heracles.
A Breath Of Fresh Air
It is quite noticeable what Garcia is trying to do and, arguably, one of the reasons why he was brought in. While it is believed that he was being groomed to eventually take the first team manager’s job; his short space of time with the Under 23 squad must have been enough to convince Cruyff that he was the man to replace Grim now.
What Garcia has done, or at least is trying to do, reflects a work in progress. Play the ‘Ajax way’. This was no doubt going to be his philosophy with the Under 23s and it is no coincidence that we have gradually seen a few of these players making their way into the first team squad and even playing a part in matches.
To put it bluntly, Garcia has weapons. And with plenty of potential. Prospect Mika Godts is arguably the success story of the season, but since the Spaniard’s arrival, he has undoubtedly been unleashed.
There are big European clubs circling for his signature, though it is likely that, should Garcia be retained at the end of the season, he will want to convince him to stay and sell him ‘the project’ he has in mind.
For any football purist like Garcia, this is a dream role. The chance to build a side for the ages, because the promise is there; not just Godts, but Rayane Bounida, Kayden Wolff and Dies Janse to name just a few. Youth talent all over the pitch that, with the right guidance, moulding and coaching, can blossom into a side capable of challenging and going far in Europe. For a man who has marshalled the maestros of La Masia, this should be relatively “small change” in an environment that usually racks up the kesef from its impressive production line.
The Spaniard’s first job, no doubt, is to make sure the club gets there. Or, at least, limps over the line. And then, if he wants the job, the real work will begin. The summer World Cup is unlikely to affect Ajax, giving Garcia (should he be retained) a major advantage to work with players and fully implement his style.
Perhaps in a similar way that Marcelo Bielsa did at Leeds United in his first pre-season, which saw them come out of the blocks and blow teams away, playing a style of football arguably, never seen before in England, let alone the Championship.
Europe Has To Be The Target
Currently in fifth place in Eredivisie, the club is only four points behind second-placed Feyenoord, which was an achievable target after the Christmas break. You could argue it still is, though it is out of their hands.
Finishing runners-up would be a great achievement considering the season they have had and it would reflect the brilliance of Garcia, though third place may be a more realistic possibility, though it would mean they have to compete in Champions League Qualifiers; something they could do without.
A win at home at the beginning of May, against bitter rivals PSV Eindhoven, who have already won the Eredivisie title would be a superb demonstration of Garcia’s ability against a club which reflects where the benchmark is and would be a key indicator of exactly where they are.
For sure, the jury is still out on Garcia at the moment, but it is obvious what he is trying to do and with Cruyff seemingly in his corner, the permanent job may just be his.