Ajax looking spry after Koster facelift

AFC Ajax are almost unrecognisable from the squad in their pre-season team photo, with coach Adrie Koster's new regime facing its sternest test yet this evening when PSV Eindhoven visit.

Autumn alterations
Since that picture was taken major changes have occured on and off the pitch, with Wesley Sneijder and Olaf Lindenbergh departing for Real Madrid CF and Sparta Rotterdam respectively before the end of August, Hedwiges Maduro moving to Valencia CF this month and Jaap Stam hanging up his boots in October. The latter's decision came three weeks after Koster stepped up from leading the club's second team to succeed Henk ten Cate following the coach's departure to become assistant manager at Chelsea FC.

January overhaul
This has been a busy month at Ajax, with Kenneth Perez returning from PSV and Bruno Silva, Rasmus Lindgren (both FC Groningen) and Samuel Kuffour (AS Roma) also moving to the Amsterdam ArenA. Edgar Davids missed that pre-season photo shoot due to injury, while subsequent summer signings Albert Luque and Luis Suárez have become key figures up front but perhaps the most significant absentee from the picture was Koster. Previously coach of Willem II, Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk among others, Ajax represent the biggest test of Koster's career, although the usually modest coach started off full of confidence, saying: "This is a huge challenge for me but I want to become champions and win the Dutch Cup with Ajax."

Enforced retirement
A right-winger in his playing days, Koster won three caps for the Netherlands and is a firm believer in the Dutch tradition of 4-3-3. With his career ended prematurely by a torn cruciate ligament at the age of 28, he has had plenty of time to develop his philosophy. "As a player I planned my career step by step, but suddenly it was over," Koster said. "That is why I always insist my players don't forget to enjoy themselves, and also why I haven't planned my coaching career. I've always had my teams playing attacking football, I never stray from my vision."

'Take us forward'
Koster has tasted defeat only twice in 14 league matches in leading Ajax to second place in the Eredivisie, but leaders PSV – who hold a five-point advantage – are sure to provide a stringent examination of his side's credentials in a match rearranged from its original date on 16 December due to a strike by Dutch police. "Victory against PSV would reduce the gap at the top to two points, but I don't think the title race would be over even if we lose although it would make life extremely difficult," said the coach, who is hoping his January signings can revitalise Ajax. "All my wishes have been fulfilled in the transfer window and this is the group of players to take us forward."