Steven Bergwijn paid tribute to an emotional team talk from new manager John van 't Schip after Ajax secured an overdue Eredivisie victory over FC Volendam.

Van 't Schip lost his wife to cancer last month and Bergwijn revealed after the game that the 42-year-old had discussed the situation with his players before kick-off.

It inspired a return to form for the Dutch giants, who have suffered a dreadful start to the season but moved off the bottom of the league table with a 2-0 victory.

The former Tottenham winger said: "I still get goosebumps when I think about it.

"The trainer is in a difficult private situation but still wants to help us. That makes it extra special.

"He had the feeling that he had to do this and that stirs a lot in me. We wanted this win for John and his wife."

Bergwijn opened the scoring for his side at the John Cruyff Arena and believes his goal relieved a lot of the tension that had been building on the team over the last few weeks.

He said: "There was a lot of frustration in the shot.

"The goal took a lot of pressure off our shoulders. This helps with confidence.

"A lot has been said and written but I wanted to be important for the team. I wanted to show it extra because we are in a difficult situation.

"We haven't won for so long so it's a huge relief. The feeling was good."

Ajax are next in action on Sunday, when they host Heerenveen.