Steven Bergwijn expressed his appreciation for a heartfelt pep talk by their new manager, John van ‘t Schip, after Ajax finally secured a win in the Eredivisie against FC Volendam.
Van ‘t Schip, who recently lost his wife to cancer, shared his feelings with the team before the game. This emotional conversation inspired Ajax to improve their performance, leading to a 2-0 victory and lifting them from the bottom of the league table.
The ex-Tottenham winger, Bergwijn, described the impact of the talk, saying, “I still feel a sense of inspiration when I recall it.”
The coach is facing personal challenges but remains committed to supporting us, which is truly remarkable.
“He felt a strong sense of duty, and it deeply resonates with me. Our victory is dedicated to John and his spouse.”
Bergwijn gave his team the lead at the John Cruyff Arena, and he thinks his goal helped ease the pressure that had been building on the team in recent weeks.
He mentioned, “There was a great deal of frustration in that shot.”
Scoring the goal eased a significant amount of pressure, boosting our confidence.
I aimed to be crucial for the team, especially given our challenging circumstances. The long winless streak made this victory a huge relief, and it felt great.
Ajax’s next match is on Sunday as they play against Heerenveen at home.