Ajax caretaker manager Fred Grim has reportedly been relieved of his duties after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away at FC Groningen, the club confirmed on Sunday.
Fred Grim took over from the fired John Heitinga in November 2025. After three losses to start his tenure as interim boss, Ajax ended 2025 on a high note with five wins and a draw in the last six games of the calendar year.
In 2026, however, Ajax regressed again. Telstar were narrowly beaten in the first game following the winter break, after which the Amsterdam giants won just three of their next 11 games.
After a 2-0 win over FC Volendam on January 24th, only Fortuna Sittard were beaten, giving Ajax just one win in their last seven games across all competitions. Saturday’s 3-1 away loss at FC Groningen was the last drop for technical director Jordi Cruyff.
“Fred and I had a conversation today about what is best for the club. Together we agreed that something needs to change,” Cruyff said in a club statement.
“He stepped in during a difficult period and has done everything he could. We are grateful to him for that. Oscar will see out the season. The coming months are very important for the club. We still have eight matches to play and we must get the maximum out of them together.”
In 21 games as caretaker manager this season, Fred Grim, who returns to his role in the club’s youth academy, and Ajax won nine games and lost six.
Ajax are currently in fourth place in the Eredivisie, trailing leaders PSV by 24 points and second-placed Feyenoord by five, with NEC, who are one point behind, yet to play this weekend.
Oscar García takes over
Spaniard Oscar García will take over Fred Grim’s duties as caretaker manager. The 52-year-old former FC Barcelona forward joined Ajax along with Jordi Cruyff, whom García worked with several times throughout his career, in January as the manager of Jong Ajax, the club’s under-21 side.
Oscar García takes over as caretaker manager of AjaxOrange Pictures, Orange Pics BV / Alamy / Profimedia
In his five games as Jong Ajax manager, the team won twice and went on a three-game unbeaten run.
Carlos García (assistant coach), Juan Pablo Colinas (goalkeeping coach) and Enrique Sanz (fitness coach) join García in the first-team staff, while Paul Nuijten and Urby Emanuelson, who assisted Grim, take over at Jong Ajax.
Ajax play Sparta Rotterdam next on Saturday, March 14th, after which the Klassieker derby against Feyenoord is scheduled for March 22nd.