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- Tee
- Year: 90s
- Player: -
- Size: XL (59 cm x 78 cm)
- Brand: Umbro
- Sponsor: -
- Details: Excellent condition apart from some cracks on the back.
Louis van Gaal was relatively unknown to the press and public when he took over as head coach. Before his appointment, he had served as an assistant at AZ and Ajax. Prior to that, he had a playing career that included time at Ajax (1972-1973 as a reserve), FC Antwerp (1973-1977), and Sparta (1978-1986). In his first season (1991/92), Van Gaal, along with his assistant Gerard van der Lem, led Ajax to victory in the UEFA Cup by defeating Torino FC in the final (0-0 at home, 2-2 away). With this achievement, Ajax became the first club to win all European trophies at least once, a feat only previously accomplished by Juventus, with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Manchester United later joining the list. In mid-1991, Rob Alflen, Alfons Groenendijk, John van Loen, and Dan Petersen were brought in by former coach Leo Beenhakker. They were expected to stay for around two years. Van Gaal faced challenges from top European clubs seeking to acquire key Ajax players. Between late 1991 and mid-1992, Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk both moved to Internazionale, Bryan Roy went to Foggia, and Jan Wouters signed with Bayern Munich. As a former youth coach, Van Gaal recognized the potential of many young talents at Ajax and introduced players like Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, and Patrick Kluivert to the first team. He also fielded Ronald and Frank de Boer and brought in Finnish player Jari Litmanen in mid-1992 as a replacement for Bergkamp, along with Marc Overmars. After goalkeeper Stanley Menzo's mistake during a 4-2 loss against AJ Auxerre in March 1993, Edwin van der Sar, who had been with the squad since mid-1989, got his chance to play. By mid-1993, new additions included John van den Brom, Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu, Peter van Vossen, Patrick Kluivert, and Nordin Wooter, as well as the returning Frank Rijkaard. By mid-1994, Winston Bogarde, Kiki Musampa, and Michael Reiziger had joined the team. Peter Hoekstra was signed in mid-1995, and Arnold Scholten returned to Ajax. Finally, in mid-1996, Ajax succeeded in signing Tijani Babangida and the highly regarded Portuguese talent Dani (Daniel da Cruz Carvalho).