“Must Take This Opportunity”: Oscar Gloukh’s Last Chance at Ajax
New Ajax coach Michel is demanding mental toughness and discipline from Oscar Gloukh. After a successful start to the season, the Israeli has a chance to become a team leader, but must prove his consistency.
A month ago, at the start of Ajax's preparations for the new season, the new Spanish coach, Michel, stopped training to shout at Oscar Gloukh. According to an ESPN report, the man who previously led little Girona to the Champions League did not like the slackness the Israeli displayed in the pressing game, and roared: "It's impossible, Oscar! Show some mental toughness!"
Last week, in the return match against Serbian Vojvodina in the second round of the Conference League qualifiers, Gloukh again received shouts from Michel. This happened after a turnover in the first half, and the coach was furious and made it clear in no uncertain terms — which was also caught on television cameras — that Gloukh must protect the ball better. But Michel also praised Gloukh's wonderful performance at the end, and the man who scored a hat-trick told in the summary interview how comfortable he feels with the new boss.
Yes, perhaps Gloukh got a tougher coach this year, but also one whose style and way bring out something different and better in him. We are only after two official matches against a mediocre opponent, and yet, Gloukh's start under Michel is very promising — and the crowd already responded with thunderous standing ovations when he was substituted.
In the Netherlands, they like what Ajax is presenting this summer, and a fan of the team distilled it nicely in a tweet on X: "Michel is winning me over with his statements. Last year's coach, Johnny Heitinga, would surely have claimed he told Gloukh to 'play simple' and be satisfied with his hat-trick. Michel spoke after the match about wanting Oscar to learn from his dangerous turnovers that can be devastating at the high levels. That's how you make players better."
