PSV Eindhoven crowned Dutch champions
PSV Eindhoven clinched their 25th Dutch championship on Sunday, marking their first title triumph since 2018, in a season overshadowed by Ajax’s struggles.
Under the leadership of Peter Bosz, PSV secured the Eredivisie trophy with two games to spare by defeating Sparta Rotterdam 4-2 in a celebratory atmosphere at the Philips Stadion. This victory ensured that second-placed Feyenoord couldn’t catch up, prompting jubilant celebrations among PSV’s fans.
The season has been remarkable for PSV, with iconic players like Romario, Ronaldo, Mark van Bommel, and Arjen Robben gracing their shirt. PSV dominated the league, going unbeaten for 17 games until suffering their first loss against NEC Nijmegen. Memorable wins against rivals Ajax and Feyenoord propelled them towards the title.
A key figure in PSV’s success was veteran Dutch striker Luuk de Jong, whose 27 goals made him the league’s joint top scorer. While this PSV team may not match the legendary 1987/88 squad coached by Guus Hiddink, who won the European Cup, the Eredivisie triumph is a significant achievement, especially after finishing second in previous seasons.
PSV also enjoyed success in Europe, finishing second in their Champions League group but were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
In contrast, it was a nightmare season for Ajax. Feyenoord, despite losing only twice, settled for second place in the league and won the Dutch Cup. However, they are set to lose their coach, Arne Slot, to Liverpool.
For Ajax, the season has been a far cry from their illustrious past, with Johan Cruyff’s club languishing in fifth place, unlikely to qualify for European competition. Their humiliating defeats, including a 6-0 loss to Feyenoord, have compounded their woes.
Off the pitch, Ajax faced turmoil, with CEO and chairman Alex Kroes suspended for insider trading, and chairman Michael van Praag embroiled in a share-declaration scandal. Additionally, Vitesse Arnhem’s relegation after a points deduction added to the chaos in Dutch football.
