'A beautiful era': Erik ten Hag gets perfect send-off as Ajax win Dutch league title

Manchester United-bound Erik ten Hag received the perfect send-off as Ajax were crowned Dutch champions with a 5-0 victory over Heerenveen at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday.

The club's 36th league crown is the third in charge for Ten Hag, who will end his five-year stint at the helm at the end of the season to become Manchester United manager.

Ajax have a four-point lead over second-placed PSV Eindhoven, who beat Nijmegen 3-2, with one match remaining. PSV missed the chance to cut the gap to two points last weekend when they conceded two late goals in a 2-2 draw at Feyenoord.

On Wednesday, goals from Nicolas Tagliafico and Steven Berghuis, and a Sebastien Haller penalty in the opening 38 minutes sealed the victory for Ajax, before Brian Brobbey and Edson Alvarez added two more late on.

It was the last home fixture for Ten Hag before he moves to the Premier League having been named last month by United as their new manager.

Pascal Gross and Lewis Dunk of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrate their win over Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on Saturday, May 07, 2022. Getty

“I have enjoyed this great journey, it was a beautiful era. I look back with great satisfaction,” Ten Hag said.

Ten Hag leaves for Old Trafford after the season, where he wants to turn things around in the same way he turned around Ajax’s fortunes.

It had not been easy at Ajax. “Social media makes it very easy to express an opinion. Ajax is an A-brand, the banner of Dutch football. Everyone has an opinion about the club. And those opinions can take on a life of their own, even if you win a lot,” Ten Hag added.

“When I started here four and a half years ago, I had to prepare Ajax for Europe again."

“That worked out and how. This