Chapter 1515 Huge Pit

A Porsche Cayenne is speeding from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on the highway in the direction of the Neustadt in the southeast.

Yang Yang sat in the passenger seat, took off his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, and looked out the window at a fast step backwards. He was a little familiar with the unfamiliar scenery, and a lot of emotions arose in his heart.

He used to live in this city for five years, and he was familiar with everything here, but over the past ten years, earth-shaking changes have taken place here. Although he often comes, it has never been like this. So many touches.

Sitting in the driver's seat was Wei Zheng, who had studied in Amsterdam for many years.

From the Ring Expressway, I came to the southeast new city, where Ajax's home court and training base De Tokmoster are located.

Yang Yang still clearly remembers that more than ten years ago, this place was relatively desolate, and there were no supporting facilities. The Southeast New City had just been put on the plan of the Amsterdam Municipal Government, but now, there are not many high-rise buildings here, but at least the degree of prosperity is no less. in the city center.

From the highway intersection, you can see Ajax's home stadium, the Amsterdam Arena, from a distance.

"The city government has passed a resolution and decided to officially rename the stadium as the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Not only that, there will also be streets and overpasses named after Cruyff in the surrounding area to commemorate the Dutch legend. "

After Wei Zheng finished speaking, he glanced at Yang Yang and found that he didn't have much reaction.

Everyone knows that Cruyff doesn't like Yang Yang, and Yang Yang doesn't like him either.

Maybe it's because of Van Gaal.

"They are major shareholders and have the right to decide to change the name. We can only support it." Yang Yang said lightly.

Although Ajax is using the stadium, in fact, the shares are not in Ajax's hands.

So far, Ajax only owns 13% of the home stadium. Instead, the city government of Amsterdam holds a whopping 48% of the stadium and the remaining 39%. in the hands of joint shareholders.

For this reason, Ajax needs to pay more than 10 million euros in stadium rent every year, and at the same time bear the maintenance and management expenses of the stadium, which is also a large amount of income for Ajax.

"I had a discussion with Menno Heron before. The current situation of Ajax is not ideal, and the financial pressure is still very high."

While driving, Wei Zheng introduced the situation to Yang Yang.

"Needless to say the burden on the stadium, basically more than half of the game-day income has to pay rent every year, and we haven't been able to properly renovate the stadium, which has led to a very bad income from our stadium operations."

"Our current stadium attendance rate is pretty good. There are more than 50,000 seats, the average attendance rate is 48,000 people, and the season ticket sales are 42,000 people. This is quite good, but it is still not profitable. what money."

"It's fine if the stadium doesn't make any money, and De Tokmoorster on the opposite side is even selling money. In the past two years since I took over, we have invested a total of 40 million euros in expanding the training base, and the standard football field has increased to fifteen. All of them are natural turf, and there is also a second-team stadium with 6,000 people."

"The maintenance fee of this stadium alone is a lot of money every year, and the cost of maintaining the youth training system. I am almost scratching my head now. Ajax only needs to pay 12 euros per year for each youth training player. Insurance premiums, and all other expenses are borne by Ajax, which is simply a huge hole, and I don’t know how much it costs every year.”

At the end of Wei Zheng's speech, he smiled wryly.

"It's not that I'm complaining. I really think it's normal for this club to lose money every year. If such a team can make money, it would be weird."

Yang Yang looked at his brother-in-law amusedly. He knew that Wei Zheng was very angry, so he immediately comforted him: "Okay, okay, I know you are difficult, and I know you have worked hard. Didn't I come here?"

Wei Zheng turned his head, took a deep look at Yang Yang, and then sighed again.

Sometimes he really felt that Yang Yang took over Ajax, and he really put a big burden on himself.

Of course, he also understood what Yang Yang wanted to do.

"Menno Heron predicts that this year's commercial income will increase significantly, but the team's finances are still not optimistic. Unless they can break into the official competition of the Champions League, otherwise, they may still lose money."

Ajax's current annual salary cost has fallen sharply. After all, they have sold many high-paid players in the past two years, but many fixed costs are there. If they still cannot break into the Champions League, the pressure will be very high.

"Don't worry, I know what's going on."

Wei Zheng hummed, and said again: "You really decided to sell Ziyech?"

This is the decision Yang Yang just made two days ago. He is willing to accept Chelsea's offer and sell the star star Ziyech at a high price of 40 million euros. This is also a big deal. For Ajax, It can be described as a huge sum of money.

"Didn't you just say that? If you don't make it to the Champions League, the team will still lose money this year, so I have to sell people to raise money."

Yang Yang's words immediately made Wei Zheng fuming with anger, is there such a sarcasm?

"Just kidding, I really think that since he wants to leave, it's meaningless for us to force him to stay. Besides, Ajax will not be able to play without anyone, and I want to make those who leave the team regret it. , at least let them regret that they chose to leave this summer."

In terms of football, Wei Zheng believed in Yang Yang. Since he had made up his mind, there must be a way.

Isn't this buying an Odegaard who played as a right winger in Heerenveen last season?

He's one of Europe's most famous super-geniuses.

"What's the city government's attitude towards the stadium?" Yang Yang changed the subject and asked.

"According to what we have learned, the city government does not mind selling 48% of the shares in its hand, and other joint shareholders also do not resist, but there is a problem, that is, if we cannot buy it all at once, the next ten years There will be no second transaction within the year, so..."

Yang Yang originally meant to use the money from selling Ziyech to buy back part of the stadium shares from the city government, which can reduce the club's financial expenditure, and now the bank interest is very low. If the club needs it, it can go to the stadium. Mortgage.

Isn't that how Real Madrid transformed the Bernabéu?

"How much will it cost?" Yang Yang asked with a frown.

"At least nearly 200 million euros, because not only the stadium, but also some surrounding commercial facilities, overall, the transaction is quite cost-effective, and the city government has also taken care of Ajax in this regard. Once it is bought Afterwards, with a little modification, it is expected to become a major source of income for the club, but only if we have the money."

Yang Yang nodded, he did have the money, but the problem was that the Ajax supervisory board refused to let him invest any more.

According to the agreement between the two parties, in the next year, if Yang Yang meets the conditions, he can propose an acquisition. Once the acquisition is completed, it is Yang Yang's business to do what he wants to do in the future.

But until then, they certainly won't budge.

Wanting to improve a company's financial situation is nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure.

But now, it is unlikely that Ajax wants to cut costs. As Wei Zheng said, the club spends too much money, coupled with the struggle to support the youth training, this leads to Ajax's financial problems. Expenditures are basically irrelevant.

As for open source, with the joining of Yang Yang and the painstaking efforts of Wei Zheng and Menno Heron in the past two years, Ajax's commercial income is thriving. The team is still very far away.

At present, Ajax's financial revenue can be called the number one in the Eredivisie. Counting Belgium, it is also the number one. It can be compared with the four major leagues, especially the Premier League. Downstream teams are inferior.

This is why they all say that the purchasing power of the relegated teams in the Premier League is stronger than that of Ajax.

To improve club finances, the Champions League is crucial.

Once in the Champions League, Ajax's annual guaranteed income of at least 20 to 30 million euros is definitely a huge sum of money compared to Ajax's broadcast fee income of less than 10 million euros.

...

As early as Yang Yang decided to come back, he asked Ajax to help him rent the previous house in Oderkerke again, and redecorated the interior.

After many years, living here again, Yang Yang has mixed feelings in his heart.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who lived across from him back then, has now gone to the United States, Maxwell has also returned to Brazil, and his roommate Vermaelen is still in Real Madrid, but it seems that he will not stay for long, after all Almost thirty-three years old.

Time is like a butcher's knife, mercilessly taking away everyone's years, leaving only the ethereal memories.

…………

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When Yang Yang stood at the door of his house, remembering the youthful years, at the press conference of Ajax's home stadium, which was officially renamed the Cruyff Stadium, the club's general manager Van der Sar and technical director Van Gaal were holding a press conference Yes, officially announced the joining of two rookie players from Real Madrid.

Ashraf and Odegaard also appeared at the press conference and officially signed a five-year contract with Ajax.

This means that in the next five years, they will all play for Ajax, but Ajax has a clause with Real Madrid. Real Madrid has the transfer priority for these two players. At the same time, after two years, Real Madrid can propose to return at any time. purchase.

On behalf of the team, Van Gaal welcomed the arrival of the two players and firmly believed that they would be successful in Ajax.

"There is no doubt that they are an important part of the team in the new season, and all of us believe that they will play a huge role for the team in the new season, which is why we signed them."

For the upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Van Gaal expressed confidence that the team can break the curse of many years and advance to the group stage.

But media reporters obviously don't believe this, because Ajax has always said so in the past few years.

It was also at this press conference that Van Gaal officially announced that the team had introduced superstar Yang Yang from Real Madrid on a free transfer. He will serve as the club's first-team player and assistant coach in the new season.

This long-overdue transfer immediately caused a strong earthquake in the world football.