Henk ten Cate Rejects Ajax to Pursue Acting

Reports have surfaced claiming that former Chelsea coach Henk ten Cate declined the opportunity to manage Ajax in order to pursue an acting career. The 68-year-old, who served as assistant manager at Stamford Bridge alongside Avram Grant, played a crucial role in guiding Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final. However, the team ultimately lost to Manchester United on penalties, and both ten Cate and Grant were soon after sacked.

Ten Cate's Impressive Coaching Journey

Prior to his time at Chelsea, ten Cate served as Frank Rijkaard's assistant at Barcelona. He also managed Ajax's first-team for one season, showcasing his extensive experience in the football world.

Ajax in Crisis

Currently, Ajax is facing a crisis, as they sit at the bottom of the Eredivisie and their Europa League group. The team's struggles have led to riots by their own fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena and the subsequent sacking of manager Maurice Steijn.

Ten Cate's Acting Career Takes Center Stage

Amidst Ajax's search for a new manager, reports suggest that the club approached ten Cate for the role, only to be turned down. Journalist Johan Derksen claims that the former coach rejected the offer because he is now focused on his acting career. Ten Cate is currently starring in the ten-part crime drama series "Sleepers" on Videoland, where he plays the role of a chief inspector.

Ajax Appoints Interim Manager

In the absence of ten Cate, Ajax has appointed their former player and ex-Dutch international John van 't Schip as an interim manager until the end of the season.

It seems that ten Cate has chosen to forge a new path in the world of acting, leaving behind the opportunity to manage Ajax during their time of crisis.