Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has voiced sharp bewilderment over Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez’s management of on-loan striker Tolu Arokodare, warning that apparent nervousness from the dugout risks destabilizing the entire squad in Amsterdam.
Arokodare, who made the switch to the Johan Cruyff Arena on a temporary loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window, hit the ground running upon his arrival. The imposing forward offered an immediate spark to the Dutch outfit’s frontline, showcasing physical presence, aerial dominance, and sharp finishing in his early outings. Yet despite making an emphatic initial impression, the striker’s role has seemingly been subject to sudden rotation and erratic handling by his manager.
Speaking on Dutch television, Gullit did not hold back his confusion regarding Míchel’s tactical and personnel choices surrounding the Nigerian marksman. The former Ballon d’Or winner argued that sidelining or frequently disrupting the rhythm of an in-form goalscorer defies basic football logic, particularly when positive momentum is hard to come by.
“I don’t understand it,” Gullit remarked, emphasizing that when a new signing performs well and hits the ground running, they should be nurtured rather than constrained. Gullit suggested that Míchel’s erratic decisions stem from underlying tension and uncertainty, which he believes is becoming increasingly visible on the touchline.
According to Gullit, the primary danger lies in how this managerial anxiety permeates throughout the rest of the dressing room. Footballers are exceptionally perceptive to their manager’s state of mind, and if a coach appears anxious, indecisive, or quick to alter winning formulas out of hesitation, those doubts quickly spread across the pitch. Rather than projecting composure and authority, the technical staff risks creating an environment of collective insecurity.
For a striker of Arokodare’s profile, regular minutes and unshakeable trust from the coaching staff are vital. Loan moves present a unique psychological test for any player, who must establish themselves under tight timelines and high expectations. By pulling Arokodare in and out of the lineup or altering his responsibilities unexpectedly, Míchel risks undermining the very confidence that made the forward such an asset in his opening fixtures.
Ajax is an institution where expectations are perpetually high, and scrutiny from pundits and supporters rarely eases. While Míchel was brought in to bring tactical clarity and stability, decisions like those surrounding Arokodare continue to generate unnecessary questions around his tenure. As Gullit pointed out, keeping things simple—and backing the players who are consistently delivering on the pitch—is often the quickest antidote to managerial pressure.
If Ajax hopes to compete on all fronts and maximize Arokodare’s loan spell before he returns to Wolves, Míchel will need to heed such warnings, project calm authority, and place full faith in his most productive attacking outlets.