The 2024 Eredivisie season unfolded as a tale of two halves for Ajax, culminating in a dramatic and unexpected title loss. What seemed like a coronation for a record-extending 37th title turned into a nightmare as PSV Eindhoven capitalized on a late-season slump to snatch the trophy. The collapse of Ajax, who once held a seemingly insurmountable lead, has become a talking point across the Netherlands and beyond. This is the story of how a nine-point advantage evaporated in the dying embers of the season, leaving fans and pundits alike searching for answers. Expert analysis, including insights from former Ajax and PSV midfielder Wim Jonk, sheds light on the psychological and structural factors that contributed to this stunning turnaround, providing a comprehensive overview of one of the most captivating title races in recent memory.

After a dominant display and a 2-0 victory on March 30th, Ajax seemed destined to lift the Eredivisie trophy. The win extended their lead over PSV to a commanding nine points, prompting PSV captain Luuk de Jong to concede, “Nine points is too much – I don’t think it’s ever been made up with so few games left.” At that point, PSV’s focus shifted to securing second place and Champions League qualification. However, the script took an unforeseen twist as Ajax‘s form dipped, with crucial points dropped in key fixtures. Simultaneously, PSV embarked on a winning streak, securing six consecutive victories and closing the gap. The decisive moment arrived when Groningen scored a 99th-minute equalizer against Ajax, coupled with PSV’s victory, propelling PSV to the league summit.

Wim Jonk, with his extensive experience at both Ajax and PSV, provides valuable insights into the collapse. He highlighted the psychological impact of relinquishing such a substantial lead, stating, “The moment you drop points the outside world will start talking and then the question is what will happen psychologically within the team?” He observed a decline in Ajax‘s performance under pressure, particularly in home games, noting that they seemed to ‘freeze up.’ Jonk emphasized the importance of a solid structure to fall back on when things go wrong, adding, “When something went wrong during the match, it looked like something switched in their minds – ‘What’s going on here?’ That’s where structure comes in – you need something solid to fall back on and from that structure, confidence grows again.” He cited home games against Sparta Rotterdam and NEC Nijmegen as examples of subpar performances where the team seemed to lack composure.

While Ajax faltered, PSV orchestrated an incredible turnaround. Ironically, PSV themselves had held a nine-point lead over Ajax earlier in the season, in December. Jonk praised PSV’s dominant and entertaining football under Peter Bosz during that period, noting, “Under Peter Bosz, they played some fantastic football – by far the best team in the league at the time.” However, a heavy 7-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League served as a humbling experience. According to Jonk, the key to PSV’s success lay in regaining their hunger and commitment to a shared goal: “The question is then, is there still that hunger to set egos aside and fully commit to one shared goal?” A crucial moment in their resurgence was their comeback win against Feyenoord, sealed with a 99th-minute goal by Noa Lang, which injected renewed belief into the team.

The pivotal moments in Ajax‘s downfall included a 3-0 defeat to NEC Nijmegen and, most dramatically, conceding a 99th-minute equalizer against 10-man Groningen. Jonk also questioned some of Ajax’s tactical decisions in the final minutes of the Groningen match. Specifically, he asked: “What do you do when you’re leading with just a few minutes to go? Do you drop deep or do you push up?” His implication being that a more aggressive approach may have secured the win and maintained their title hopes.

Despite the disappointment of losing the title, there were positives for Ajax. Jonk highlighted the development of young players like Jorrel Hato and Brian Brobbey. He also acknowledged the positive impact of Jordan Henderson, whose leadership and professionalism have been valuable for the young Ajax team. He noted, “Henderson is a leading player…He is coming into his own game now the structure around him, especially defensively, has improved.” Furthermore, Ajax maintained a perfect record against their main rivals, winning all their games against PSV and Feyenoord.

The 2024 Eredivisie season will be etched in memory for Ajax‘s spectacular collapse and PSV’s unlikely championship win. As Wim Jonk articulated, psychological resilience, team structure, and unwavering commitment to a common objective were critical. While Ajax faces a period of rebuilding and introspection, PSV celebrates a well-deserved title achieved through determination and by exploiting their competitor’s vulnerabilities. The season’s dramatic narrative has certainly amplified the Eredivisie’s appeal, setting the stage for an exciting 2024-25 season.