Martin Jol feels need to succeed at Ajax Amsterdam
Ajaz Amsterdam manager Martin Jol has said he hopes to honor the team's history by doing well in this year's Champions League.
Ajax, by far the most successful Dutch club, has won the Eredivisie 29 times in the last 93 years.
Jol took over the club last year after spending one season with Bundesliga team Hamburger SV, and said he has felt pressured to perform since his arrival in Amsterdam.
"At Ajax, the first thing they do is invite you to the museum to see all of the cups; there aren't many clubs with more trophies," he told UEFA.com.
During his first season in charge, Ajax won the Dutch cup, but finished second in the league behind FC Twente.
Like Twente, Ajax is competing in this year's Champions League, a tournament Jol's club has won four times in its history.
"We won our last UEFA Champions League in 1995 and it's probably impossible to win it again. But because of our history, it's very important to us. The home games are already sold out, which shows what it means to our fans. Hopefully we can bring the old
times back."
Top class youth academy
Several pioneering players have come through the Ajax's renowned youth academy, known to be one of the best in the world. Several of the world's best players, including Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert, rose to prominence
in the club's youth team before making their mark on world football.
Jol remarked that he is proud to preside over so many talented, young players at the club.
"There's a mentality at Ajax. Eight players from our academy are in the squad. They've got confidence and it's maybe a characteristic you need to play against these top teams. With Ajax, you always have good young players."
Ajax faces AC Milan at home in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Sunday.
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