Key facts
- Ajax has confirmed the departure of coach Oscar Garcia.
- Garcia's contract was mutually terminated a year early.
- He joined the club in February to manage the U23 team.
- Garcia was promoted to interim first-team manager in March.
- Ajax finished fifth in the Eredivisie under his tenure.
- The club has appointed Míchel as their new manager.
Ajax has confirmed the departure of coach Oscar Garcia, with the club and the Spaniard mutually agreeing to terminate his contract a year early. The 53-year-old Garcia joined Ajax in February 2026 to manage their reserve team, Jong Ajax, in the Dutch second tier, signing an 18-month contract. However, following the demotion of first-team manager Fred Grim in March, newly appointed technical director Jordi Cruyff promoted Garcia to interim first-team boss.
During his ten games at the helm, Garcia secured five wins, three draws, and two losses. Under his guidance, Ajax finished fifth in the Eredivisie with 55 points, their joint-lowest tally since 1962, but managed to clinch a spot in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers via the play-offs. In early June, Ajax announced the appointment of former Girona boss Míchel as their new first-team manager. Garcia will now leave the club entirely, rather than returning to his initial post with the reserves. Cruyff expressed gratitude for Garcia's efforts during a difficult period for the club, both with the U23s and the first team.