Discoverers of Lewandowski and Co
Ajax brings in Mislintat as technical director
04/11/2023, 2:18 p.m
Dutch record-breaking champions Ajax Amsterdam have hired Sven Mislintat as their new technical director. The 50-year-old discovered later superstars like Lewandowski or Dembélé for BVB and has a contract with the traditional club until the summer of 2026.
The long-time Bundesliga official Sven Mislintat becomes technical director at the Dutch soccer record champions Ajax Amsterdam. The former sports director of VfB Stuttgart signed a three-year contract valid from May 19, as the club announced. “I was immediately drawn to the idea and stopped talking to others,” Mislintat said. He confirmed that talks started back in February. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve known Ajax as one of the most iconic clubs in the world. It’s a great honor and I see it as my duty to support the club to the best of my ability.”
Mislintat left VfB in November after around three and a half years. Previously, there had been disagreements between him and VfB CEO Alexander Wehrle. The 50-year-old rejected an offer from the club to extend his contract, which originally ran until June 30, 2023, and the contract was terminated instead. Even under Mislintat’s successor Fabian Wohlgemuth, Stuttgart are in a relegation battle.
Discoverers of Lewandowski and Aubameyang
Before joining VfB, Mislintat worked in the scouting department at Borussia Dortmund for eleven years. As the discoverer of later superstars such as Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembélé, he earned the nickname “Diamond Eye” on the tabloids. After leaving BVB, he headed scouting for top English club Arsenal from December 2017 to February 2019.
Former Dutch international Marc Overmars resigned as sports director at Ajax in February 2022. He had behaved inappropriately towards club employees. The 36-time champions from Amsterdam are currently second in the league – eight points behind leaders Feyenoord Rotterdam.
“We were looking for someone who stands for attacking and attractive football. Someone who has an international network and an eye for scouting, developing and promoting their own youth. Sven fulfills this profile,” said the former world class -Goalkeeper and current managing director Edwin van der Sar.