Amsterdam football club Ajax is bringing in German national Sven Mislintat as technical director, a year after Marc Overmars left for sexually harassing women who worked at the club.

The appointment of Mislintat, 50, has raised eyebrows in some quarters following his departure from Borussia Dortmund over strategic differences and his failings as chief scout at Arsenal.

However, he is ‘calm, open, fair and absolutely not arrogant,’ Bild journalist Jörg Weiler told broadcaster NOS. ‘He is a good scout and a good manager and he will bring in high value players, as he did at Dortmund.’

He’s here! 👋 pic.twitter.com/IIRR74RTJJ

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 11, 2023

Meanwhile, Ajax captain Dusan Tadic has given an interview to the AD in which he calls for acting coach John Heitinga to remain with the Amsterdammers because he ‘is energetic, hot on discipline and understands the game’.

Heitinga was given the role after Erik ten Hag’s replacement Alfred Schreuder was sacked following a string of disappointing results.

Ajax is currently eight points behind Feyenoord and level with PSV in the Eredivisie with six matches to go.

Tadic said the fact the club is unlikely to be league champion is ‘very disappointing’.

‘We know it is important for the club to come second now, but we are here to win trophies and you don’t want to fight for second place. We have to impress on players that this is crucial… We need to develop a group mentality in which everyone is hungry and wants more and more.’

Ajax needs to finish second to take part in the qualifying competition for the Champions League.