Van Basten: "I don't meet the demands"

Thursday 07 May 2009

Elegant and elusive like he was in his best years as a football player; with a fascinating elucidation of self-reflection Marco van Basten said good-bye to Ajax Amsterdam yesterday.

"I don't meet the demands," the man from the city of Utrecht told a packed press room at the Amsterdam Arena.

Earlier that day in the office of General Director Rik van den Boog, Van Basten had come to exactly the same conclusion.

Eye to eye with the man who had been supporting him in all possible ways over the past few months, Van Basten sharply analyzed himself and his work at Ajax.

"This follows a few days of pondering, thinking and weighing," Van Basten said.

"The question I have asked myself was whether I have the capacities and the influence to change the current situation. Am I good enough for Ajax? I couldn't come up with a positive answer to that right away. In that case it's best to quit."

His thoughts materialized shortly after the dramatic defeat (4-0) at Sparta on Sunday.

Straight after the game Van Basten put him self in a vulnerable position by stating he didn't really know what to do.

Again his team couldn't bear the load in a decisive phase of the competition.

"For a long time we were convinced that we could turn things around, Van Basten said.

"But the results have been disappointing for most of the season. We lacked consistency. Below par, yes. But all that time we thought we could alter things, that there was enough room for improvement. Until recent days that was."

Van Basten skipped yesterday's morning training session, officially because he wasn't feeling well.

His assistant John van ’t Schip, who will finish the season, led the training.

Quickly afterwards the feeling grew that it was all over for Van Basten.

After lunch Van Basten addressed his players and a little later the rest of the club's personnel gathered.

"The players fell silent for a while, yes," Van Basten said.

"I did too, because at a certain point I had said what I had to say."

It's the only joke Van Basten allowed himself on a remarkable afternoon.

He has been tough and businesslike about his role at Ajax on each occasion.

"I think Ajax deserve better. It's not enough what I have delivered. Apparently my qualities are insufficient. I am paid to get results. When you are defeated like we were on Sunday you are clearly doing something wrong. We didn't achieve our two most important goals. I believe then you have failed."

What a contrast with the departure of Gertjan Verbeek at Feyenoord, earlier on in the season.

On his last in De Kuip Verbeek still fiercely defended himself, after a lengthy battle with his own players.

Above all Van Basten analyzes calmly and clear headed.

"It wasn't about the mentality of the players," Van Basten says.

"And the club are not to blame either. They have always acted correctly."

He shrugs when someone says he's walking away from his responsibilities.

He didn't bail out just like that, he feels: "I have worked hard over the past few months. I have done everything within my power. You can't say I'm bailing out. But everybody is of course in tile of his own opinion."

The Alkmaar scenario, in which Louis van Gaal succeeded a disastrous season by one in which AZ won the league has been spooking through his mind in recent days.

"But Louis has had a rich career in which he won many prizes. I have not."

Those listening to Van Basten yesterday heard his doubts about his coaching career sifting through his words.

Is this the line of work that he wants?

"I will think about that later. I will now take a break. Yes this job is demanding. And no, AC Milan are not an option. Not at all."

After he ended his active career he disappeared from the scene for years.

He might just do that again.

"Who knows," he says and walks out, through the main entrance.