Frank de Boer mocks Michel Gonzalez's English at Ajax: "It makes you cringe"
Frank de Boer and Toby Alderweireld have slammed Michel Gonzalez for his English at Ajax. The Madrid-born coach, who still does not feel comfortable with the language, came under fire after the Conference League defeat against Hajduk Split. They also criticised his decision to bring on Jofre Torrents in a hostile atmosphere.
ByInfoBlaugrana
5 min read
Michel Gonzalez is going through his first season in charge of Ajax with the ambition of bringing the Dutch club back into the Eredivisie title race. However, his opening months in Amsterdam have been marked by doubts over his communication in English, a barrier that two former footballers with experience in LaLiga have used to deliver a particularly sharp dig.
- Frank de Boer says listening to Michel speak English "makes you cringe".
- Toby Alderweireld doubts an interpreter can convey passion to the dressing room.
- The criticism follows Ajax's painful 2-1 defeat to Hajduk Split in the Conference League.
- They also question the introduction of left-back Jofre Torrents in Split.
- Michel has spent more than three months in the Netherlands and still does not feel comfortable speaking English.
Michel's English barrier at Ajax
The Madrid-born coach joined Ajax after leaving a strong impression at Girona, where he showed interest in speaking Catalan from day one and managed to hold his own in public. In the Netherlands, however, adaptation is proving more complicated. After more than three months in the job, Michel still does not feel comfortable expressing himself in English, a key tool for connecting with a squad packed with players from different nationalities.
That discomfort was exposed after Ajax lost 2-1 to Hajduk Split, a setback that left the team in a difficult position in the Conference League. Michel addressed the media and his struggle to find the right words did not go unnoticed among pundits.
Frank de Boer and Toby Alderweireld hit out at Michel
One of the first to react was Toby Alderweireld, who knows Spanish football well from his time at Atletico Madrid. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, the former Belgian defender questioned how Michel communicates with his players: "In English or in Spanish? Many people don't understand Spanish; they understand English better, but if you speak like that...". Alderweireld does not see an easy solution with an interpreter either: "It's not understood the same way, and you also need to transmit passion".
It makes you cringe to sit and listen to him.
Even more scathing was Frank de Boer, an Ajax legend and former coach of Inter Milan and Crystal Palace. The Dutchman did not hide his discomfort when assessing Michel's press conference and produced a line that is already doing the rounds on social media: "It makes you cringe to sit and listen to him". His words reflect the frustration of a section of the Ajax fanbase over the image the Spanish coach is projecting.
The controversial Jofre Torrents decision against Hajduk Split
The defeat in Split did not only reopen the debate about language. Frank de Boer also focused on a specific decision by the Madrid-born coach: the introduction of Jofre Torrents in the second half. The nineteen-year-old left-back made his official first-team debut in an extremely difficult setting, with the away crowd roaring and the score against his side.
De Boer was critical of how the academy player was handled: "You bring on a left-back who has never played before... I don't want to blame him, because it's not only his fault, but fielding that nineteen-year-old for the first time in such a hostile atmosphere...". The former Ajax defender hinted he would have preferred a more experienced option: "Honestly, I would have preferred to see Wijndal".
What is at stake for Michel and Ajax in the Conference League
The defeat against Hajduk Split complicates Ajax's path in the current Conference League league phase. The Amsterdam side, fifth in the Eredivisie, need to react quickly to stay in contention for a place in the knockout rounds and avoid falling behind in Europe. The competition does not offer a direct ticket to the Champions League, but it does bring prestige and significant revenue for the Dutch club.
Beyond the continental challenge, Michel needs to sort out the language issue as soon as possible if he wants to establish himself in the dugout. Ajax have historically bet on attacking football and fluid communication with their young talents; if the message does not reach the dressing room clearly, the project may suffer regardless of results.
Frequently asked questions about Michel Gonzalez and Ajax
Frequently asked questions
What has Frank de Boer said about Michel Gonzalez?
The former Ajax player said sitting and listening to Michel speak English "makes you cringe", referring to his communication struggles after the defeat against Hajduk Split.
Why is Michel Gonzalez's English being criticised at Ajax?
The Madrid-born coach has spent more than three months in the Netherlands and does not feel comfortable with English. His public appearances have drawn comments from former players such as Toby Alderweireld, who doubt the message reaches the dressing room with the necessary passion.
What happened with Jofre Torrents in Hajduk Split vs Ajax?
The nineteen-year-old left-back made his first-team debut in a very hostile atmosphere. His introduction was questioned by Frank de Boer, who would have preferred to see Wijndal on the pitch.