Explained: Why Ajax have drafted in their SIXTH manager of 2023 amid recent winning run

The Australian is currently the assistant to full-time Ajax coach John Van’t Schip but will take over the duties as Van't Schip is currently in Australia for his son's wedding. The temporary change in leadership at the club has made Valkanis the sixth manager to take charge of the club in 2023.

The change makes him the sixth manager to take charge after Alfred Screuder, John Heitinga, Maurice Steijn, Hedwiges Maduro and John Van't Schip. The Dutch giants have gone through a rut of bad performance and multiple coaches but look to have finally found a good pair for themselves with Van't Schip and Valkanis, who have led them to five straight wins in the league.

Valkanis said while talking to club media [KeepUp]: "It is an honour to have this role for a while, we will continue to do the work we have put in since day one."

"I am very passionate and love teams that play attacking football. I am very competitive in my own right and I want the teams I am involved to have that too and take to the field to win."

"Football means everything to me. I played it from an early age and then immediately got into coaching."

With Van’t Schip away, the Aussie will take the reins for their next two matches against Zwolle on Sunday, December 17 and USV Hercules in the KNVB Cup on Thursday, December 21.