Eredivisie 2024-2025: PSV Favored, Ajax nets on Farioli

The 2024-2025 Eredivisie season promises to be full of excitement and competition. It will start on August 9, 2024, and conclude on June 1, 2025, with 18 teams vying for the Dutch championship title. Defending champions PSV Eindhoven are favorites to retain their crown but will face tough competition from traditional rivals Ajax and Feyenoord, as well as emerging contenders like AZ Alkmaar and Twente.

PSV Eindhoven: Led by Peter Bosz, the reigning champions will aim to defend their title with a refreshed and strengthened squad. The departure of Hirving Lozano to San Diego in January 2025 is a loss, but new signings like Malik Tillman from Bayern Munich and Ryan Flamingo from Utrecht promise to keep the team competitive.

Ajax: After a disappointing season, Ajax is determined to return to the top. The free transfer of Bertrand Traoré from Villarreal and the sales of players like Georges Mikautadze and Francisco Conceiçao mark a period of transition. New coach Francesco Farioli will rely on young talent from the academy and the experience of key players to restore Ajax to its winning ways.

Feyenoord: The 2023-2024 champions have kept a solid core while bolstering their squad with new signings. Ondrej Lingr from Slavia Prague and Anis Hadj Moussa from Patro Eisden have been brought in to enhance creativity and midfield strength. New coach Brian Priske, replacing Arne Slot who moved to Liverpool, is confident in maintaining high-level competition.

The Eredivisie is the top tier of Dutch football, historically dominated by three clubs: Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord.

- Ajax: Holding a record 36 national titles, Ajax is renowned for its youth academy, which has produced global stars like Johan Cruijff.

- PSV Eindhoven: With 25 championships, PSV has been a dominant force in recent decades.

- Feyenoord: The third most successful club with 16 titles, Feyenoord has a rich tradition and a passionate fan base.

These clubs have mostly dominated Dutch football, with occasional successes from AZ Alkmaar and Twente in recent years.

PSV Eindhoven: Bosz's team aims to defend its title. With new reinforcements and a strong foundation, PSV is well-equipped to compete on all fronts, including the Champions League.

Ajax: The Amsterdam club faces a challenging road back to the top. Success will hinge on the development of young talents and Farioli's ability to integrate new signings.

Feyenoord: With active transfer activity and a balanced squad, Feyenoord seeks further improvement from last season. Priske will need to maximize the potential of new players.

AZ Alkmaar: Always competitive, AZ's focus on youth development could see them as a surprise package this season. Consistency will be key for a Champions League spot.

Twente: After a strong season, Twente aims to solidify its place among the top teams. European qualification is the minimum target.

Francesco Farioli started his coaching career in 2009 with various youth departments in Italy. From 2015 to 2017, he worked as a goalkeeping coach in Qatar and then held the same role at Serie A clubs Benevento and Sassuolo. In mid-2020, Farioli became an assistant coach at Alanyaspor in Turkey, and in 2021, he became the head coach of Fatih Karagümrük, making him the youngest head coach in Turkish league history. He later returned to Alanyaspor as head coach and in mid-2023 took over at OGC Nice, finishing fifth in Ligue 1.

"I am happy to be here in Amsterdam and, together with the other staff members, we will dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly. We want to reconnect with the club's DNA, bringing new energy with a positive way of working and thinking. I am aware there is a lot of work to be done, but we have already started preparing. We don't want to waste time preparing for the new season and bringing Ajax back to where it belongs," said Farioli.

The 2024-2025 Eredivisie will follow the traditional round-robin format with home and away matches. The top two teams will directly qualify for the Champions League group stage, while the third-placed team will enter the preliminaries. Teams finishing fourth to seventh will compete in playoffs for the UEFA Europa Conference League. The bottom two teams will be relegated, with the third-to-last facing promotion/relegation playoffs.

The new season welcomes three promoted teams: PEC Zwolle, Almere City, and Heracles Almelo, replacing the relegated Excelsior, Vitesse, and Volendam.

- Groningen vs. Breda

- Feyenoord vs. Willem II

- Nijmegen vs. Twente

- Almere City vs. Alkmaar

- PSV vs. Waalwijk

- Sparta Rotterdam vs. Heracles

- G.A. Eagles vs. Sittard

- Utrecht vs. Zwolle

- Ajax vs. Heerenveen

Major Matches of the Season

- PSV vs. Feyenoord (Dec 22, May 11)

- PSV vs. Ajax (Nov 2, Mar 30)

- Ajax vs. Feyenoord (Sep 1, Feb 2)

The 2024-2025 Eredivisie season promises to be thrilling, with the usual giants battling for the title and several dark horses ready to challenge. The summer transfer market has brought fresh faces and renewed hopes, while the rich history and traditions of Dutch football ensure every match will be a spectacle. With PSV as favorites, Ajax seeking redemption, and Feyenoord aiming to impress, the Dutch league remains one of Europe's most captivating competitions.