Ajax bid farewell to Beenhakker

AFC Ajax technical director Leo Beenhakker has resigned citing personal problems and agreed to take over as coach of CF América in Mexico for a second time.

Personal setback
The 60-year-old is heading back to Mexican football on a two-year contract after ending his association with Ajax, who he joined on 1 September 2000. "I enjoyed and still enjoy working at Ajax," he said. "The club is doing well and the future looks bright, but in my personal life I experienced a setback. And it is tough to get over it when I stay in Holland."

'Major role'
The club accepted Beenhakker's resignation and gave credit to the veteran coach for his work at the Amsterdam ArenA. "Ajax are well organised now and that is why we regret Beenhakker's early departure, because he played a major role in the reconstruction of Ajax," said general manager Arie van Eijden.

Long career
In a long and illustrious managerial career, Beenhakker was coach of Feyenoord, Ajax, Real Zaragoza, Real Madrid CF, Grasshopper-Club, Istanbulspor AS, and SBV Vitesse as well as América and fellow Mexican side CD Guadalajara. He was also coach of the Dutch national side in 1985, 1986 and 1990 and took charge of the Saudi Arabian national side between 1993 and 1994.

Six titles
In the course of his career, Beenhakker has won six titles; two with Ajax, three with Madrid and, most recently, one as coach of Feyenoord in 1999.