Louis van Gaal is the ‘ideal man’ to save Ajax after furious fans vandalised their stadium and caused Feyenoord clash to be abandoned, claims Rafael van der Vaart – despite the 72-year-old’s prostate cancer diagnosis

Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has called on former club Ajax to ask Louis van Gaal to save the Dutch giants from the mess they find themselves in. 

After missing out on Champions League qualification last season, disgruntled fans got yesterday’s game against bitter rivals Feyenord suspended by throwing flares on to the pitch.

Ajax were 3-0 down when the game was stopped, and they have only won once so far this season as they sit 14th in the Eredivisie table.

The club parted ways with director of football Sven Mislintat on Sunday night, the day after the former Arsenal scout had reportedly discussed sacking head coach Maurice Steijin with members of the playing squad. 

Van der Vaart, who made 156 appearances for Ajax at the start of his career, has suggested his former club should seek out the services of Van Gaal.

Van Gaal has not worked since leading the Netherland to the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Following a poor start to the new season, Ajax fans threw flares on the pitch during their game with Feyenord and got the fixture suspended with their team 3-0 down at the Johan Cruyff Arena

The legendary Dutch manager won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 during a six-year spell in the dugout in Amsterdam. 

Following spells at Barcelona and with the Netherlands national team, he returned as a technical director in 2004 but left after just a year due to internal conflict with then head coach Ronald Koeman. 

Van Gaal’s last job saw him take charge of the Dutch at international level once again, guiding them to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He revealed ahead of the tournament that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was receiving treatment in secret as to not distract from the Netherlands’ World Cup preparations. 

The former Manchester United boss said he underwent successful treatment but he is yet to return to management.  

Van Gaal revealed in 2022 that he had undergone successful treatment for prostate cancer 

The legendary manager won the Champions League with Ajax during his first spell at the club between 1991 and 1997

After speaking with the Champions League-winning manager about Ajax’s current predicament, Van der Vaart said to Dutch broadcaster NOS (via RTLnieuws): ‘His (Van Gaal’s) heart is crying.’

When asked if Van Gaal could possibly make a comeback in the Ajax dugout, he added: ‘His health does not allow him to have a full-time job. So in principle that is a no.

‘But he can certainly give advice. He understands football. In my opinion he is the ideal man to help save Ajax.’ 

Ajax finished third last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 13 seasons.