The supervisory board of Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam has suspended CEO and prominent Chuba Akpom-doubter Alex Kroes with immediate effect and intends to terminate the collaboration permanently.
The decision was arrived at after the club learned that Kroes purchased over 17,000 shares of Ajax a week before his intended appointment was announced on August 2, 2023.
While this development is unfortunate, it could potentially be good news for Super Eagles-eligible forward Chuba Akpom.
Kroes has been vocal in saying that former sporting director Sven Mislintat paid too much for Akpom, and there were widespread rumors that Kroes was keen to get rid of Akpom this summer.
Ajax's statement on Kroes
In a statement, Michael Van Praag, Board chairman said: ” We are deeply dismayed that this has occurred at Ajax, as it is highly detrimental to the club and everyone who holds it dear to them. Alex Kroes's actions are not in line with what Ajax stands for. The timing of his share purchase indicates insider trading. Such a violation of the law cannot be tolerated by a publicly listed company, especially when it involves the CEO. After careful consideration, the Supervisory Board has therefore concluded that Alex's position as a director of Ajax is untenable. I want to emphasise that the technical policy will continue with the individuals in place and on the path Ajax was already on with Alex.”
Kroes, who has held the position for just two weeks, has decided to seek an evaluation of his purchases from the Dutch financial watchdog AFM and has rejected the board's decision.
Kroes took over from Edwin van der Sar, who stepped down at the conclusion of the previous season following the team's third-place finish in the Dutch league and their failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.
Why Kroes criticised Chuba Akpom's transfer to Ajax
Akpom signed a five-year deal with Ajax in August 2023, transferring from English club Middlesbrough for a reported fee of around €12.3 million.
Weeks later, scrutiny was cast upon Akpom's transfer to Ajax amid allegations that the former Dutch champions may have paid an excessive fee to Middlesbrough to secure his services.
As a result, Mislintat was dismissed from his position as director of football just five months after being appointed.
The Ajax hierarchy, led by Kroes, believed that the England-born forward could have potentially left Middlesbrough for a lower fee, given that he had just one year remaining on his contract.
What are Chuba Akpom's goal-scoring stats for Ajax in the 2023/24 season?
Since his arrival from Middlesbrough August last year, Akpom has made 19 Eredivise appearances and can boast of netting eight times.
In the Europa League, he has scored three goals in six games and has recorded a goal in one game in the KNVB Cup.
Akpom yet to represent Nigeria at international level
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Akpom stands at a crossroads in his international football career.
Despite his history of representing England at the youth level, Akpom's eligibility to play for Nigeria's Super Eagles remains, sparking uncertainty about his international future.
In March 28, 2017, reports suggested Akpom was close to joining the Nigerian national team, alongside Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina, after discussions with Amaju Pinnick, the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
In September 2019, he affirmed his intention to play for the Super Eagles . Speaking to BBC Sport, Akpom expressed, “It was a personal choice. I identify strongly with Nigeria, as does my entire family, and it would be a great honor to represent my country.”
As Akpom continues to shine in the Eredivise, the decision on his international allegiance weighs heavily.
With connections to both England and Nigeria, Akpom faces a pivotal decision that will define his footballing journey ahead.
His ultimate choice of allegiance remains a topic of fascination and speculation in the footballing community.
