Frank de Boer interpreter at 'Spanish Ajax'

Nik Kok
Algemeen Dagblad
Saturday 26 July 2008

On the day Ajax presented the new away-kit, Ajax-coach Marco van Basten looked back on a successful training camp in De Lutte.

"It went reasonably well," Van Basten said in Hotel Bloemenbeek.

"We did a lot of physical work this week. That caused some players some problems. Jan Arie van der Heijden had to leave the training camp and Rasmus Lindgren and Bruno Silva were recovering from their injuries."

,,Miralem Sulejmani had to catch up because of a knee injury, but I think we can use him in the coming matches."

"Besides the physical aspect we try to focus on our play as a team this week. I am happy about the level, but we could do with some extra defensive power. However it's not so strange that Ajax have so many offensive players. That goes with Ajax, it's the house style."

Van Basten confirmed that club is working hard on reinforcements.

"I can't say too much about the players we would like. We are looking for a player with leadership qualities and a defender who can eliminate his opponent. Ideally we find a player who combines these qualities, but that will probably be expensive."

Van Basten was clear about the expected arrival of Barcelona-defender Oleguer.

"The clubs have reached an agreement. Now it's up to the club and the player to agree on his personal terms. I hope that transfer will be rounded off as soon as possible."

If the transfer of Oleguer is completed Ajax will have six Spanish speaking players in the squad.

"That is quite a lot," Van Basten thinks.

"That is why it might be a good idea to involve Frank de Boer with the squad in the future. He speaks Spanish."

De Boer will combine his role as assistant of Holland-boss Bert van Marwijk with that of coach of the U-18 team of Ajax.