Ajax fans admit they are 'devastated' to lose Erik ten Hag

'I'm pretty devastated about it to be honest,' admitted William, sat in the glorious sunshine waiting for the De Kuip gates to open.

Ajax fans have now had plenty of time to absorb the move of manager Erik ten Hag to Manchester United but it still feels pretty raw for some.

'He came to Ajax when we had not won a league title in three or four years. Since he came, we have won every league and every cup.'

Ten Hag leaves Amsterdam with an enviable record for four-and-a-half years' work. Two league titles and in all likelihood a third on the way, two Dutch Cup triumphs and a run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Let's not forget also that Ajax were also leading the Eredivisie table when the 2019-20 season was curtailed because of Covid. The man has restored Ajax to the pinnacle of Dutch football.

But William's view was by no means the consensus among the Ajax fans Sportsmail spoke to ahead of Sunday's Dutch Cup final, which saw them lose 2-1 to PSV Eindhoven.

Views on Ten Hag's departure seem to be a mixed bag.

Inge Zonneveld, a former footballer, was sporting a half-and-half Chelsea and Ajax scarf from their Champions League meeting in 2019.

'It is the right moment for Ten Hag and also the right moment for Ajax,' she said. 'He is a good trainer and he is very good at developing players.

'It is time for him to make the next step for his own development.'

That was a view shared by Mark, sipping cans of Heineken with his friends.

'He is a good coach and he's ready to take the next step. His tactics have been very good for Ajax.

'He does speak in a strange way and people did laugh when he tried to speak English in interviews.

'Yes, we will watch his progress closely. All the Premier League games are shown here and we will always watch a Dutch coach who goes to England.'

Theo, happily posing with a red and black Ajax flag outside the home of fierce rivals Feyenoord, said: 'It's a good move for both him and the club. It's going to take him at least three years but he will do a good job in Manchester.'

There is an ingrained acceptance at Ajax that any player of quality will eventually get picked up by a wealthier club. That appears to be the same with their manager this time too.

Marko, attending the game with son, said: 'I am disappointed because we are losing a good coach.

'He likes to play attractive and attacking football and has a good philosophy. He is a very good tactician for Ajax.

'I hope he gets a good squad at United so he can implement his philosophy. He's also good with young talents, which is a good sign for United.'

Couple Vincent and Frederique were bridging the divide of the final - Vincent was in Ajax colours, his girlfriend in a PSV shirt. 'We only argue twice a season, or three times this season.'

Vincent said: 'It's sad, he was a nice coach for Ajax and they have won many prizes.

'Ajax play a nice game, not only does he improve individuals but there is a strong quality about the team.'

You get the impression any initial disappointment at Ten Hag leaving will quickly subside. Ajax will move on fast, as they always have.