Five candidates to take over as manager at crisis club Ajax

Ajax are without a manager and in crisis.

The Dutch giants are not only out of the title race but could be facing a battle to avoid relegation after their worst ever start to an Eredivisie season.

Manager Maurice Steijn has paid the price, with former boss Louis van Gaal part of the process to recruit a replacement in a consultancy role.

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League trip to Brighton, we analyse the contenders Van Gaal will be considering to breathe new life into the Amsterdam outfit.

Ralph Hasenhuttl

After leaving Southampton last November, Ralph Hasenhuttl has been out of work for a surprisingly long period.

The Austrian recently said he has not been offered a job that would tempt him back into work — but a move to Ajax feels a good fit.

The 56-year-old coaches attacking, high-press football that would seem to suit the Amsterdam club's ideals.

Graham Potter

Chelsea have continued to struggle since Graham Potter left the club in April, suggesting his doomed spell was far from his fault alone.

And considering the work he did to transform Brighton's playing style, he is one of the most attractive out-of-work coaches.

The Englishman has been linked with Napoli — and is sure to be considered by the first Premier League club to make a change this season — but a move to the Netherlands could also work.

Jesse Marsch

Like Potter and Chelsea, Jesse Marsch's spell at Leeds aged better once he had departed Elland Road.

The West Yorkshire club ended up being relegated from the Premier League with Sam Allardyce in the dugout and Marsch's attacking brand of football will see him touted for more big jobs.

Appointing the American would be a risk — but one that could pay off should Ajax's players fully buy into the methods that produced success at FC Salzburg.

Hansi Flick

Hansi Flick's stock as a coach has plummeted since he won a treble with Bayern Munich just three years ago.

And Ajax could consider taking advantage of his damaged reputation by attracting him to the Eredivisie.

The German is used to putting out fires — taking on the top job at Bayern after a 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt and winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League just months later.

Albert Stuivenberg

Known affectionately as "AirPod Albert" by Arsenal fans, Gunners assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg is said to be on Ajax's radar.

The Dutchman has previously coached the Netherlands Under-17s and U-21s and formed part of the brains trust under Van Gaal at Manchester United, Ryan Giggs with Wales and now Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.

Known as an innovative coach, he could be a left-field option to rejuvenate the crisis-plagued club.