Departing Ajax coach Francesco Farioli has said goodbye to the Ajax fans with a heartfelt message. On his Instagram page, the Italian posted a lengthy note in which he thanked the supporters and reflected on the season.

Francesco Farioli’s emotional farewell to Ajax marks the end of a brief but unforgettable chapter in the storied history of the Dutch giants.

The Italian coach, who took charge amid uncertainty and pressure, delivered a powerful and heartfelt message to the Ajax faithful through a lengthy Instagram post, reflecting on a season filled with both triumph and heartbreak, growth and resilience.

“The past few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions,” Farioli began, encapsulating the intense final stretch of the campaign. “Belief, sadness, pride, trust, excitement, relief. Together, we went on a fantastic journey filled with many special moments.” His words immediately struck a chord with supporters who had been through every high and low alongside the team.

He then recalled specific moments that defined Ajax's 2023/24 season moments that, for Farioli, will remain etched in memory. “34 penalty shootouts against Panathinaikos,” he wrote, referencing the marathon European qualifier that pushed the team to its physical and mental limits. “Winning all four matches home and away against PSV and Feyenoord,” he continued, highlighting not just technical success, but psychological strength against the club’s fiercest domestic rivals. He also referenced the unforgettable Europa League battle against Union Saint-Gilloise, where Ajax played with ten men for over 100 minutes, fighting tooth and nail for every ball. “The deep pain we felt in Frankfurt, Utrecht, and Groningen,” he added, acknowledging the difficult defeats that challenged the team’s spirit.

Farioli didn’t shy away from the emotional toll of the journey. “Sharing pride, tears, and emotions during our final day together at the Johan Cruijff Arena,” he said, painting a vivid picture of the season’s closing scenes. The culmination of it all, he noted with pride, was "bringing Ajax back to the Champions League after three years" a return to Europe's elite that had become an urgent objective after the club’s recent struggles.

What made his farewell even more poignant was the deep respect and admiration he expressed for the Ajax fanbase something that, by his own admission, took him by surprise. “At first, I was told the fans were too demanding, always used to winning, and that they wouldn’t buy into our philosophy and methods,” Farioli said. “They were wrong. Together, we changed that stereotype, together we changed the story.”

He didn’t just thank the fans; he celebrated them. “You, the Ajax supporters, were the real champions,” he declared, before listing the values they represented: “Champions of love, champions of support, champions of learning, champions of understanding, champions of patience, champions of pride.” These words serve not only as praise but also as recognition of how the supporters played an essential role in guiding the team through adversity.

Farioli’s deep connection to the club’s ethos was evident throughout the message. His now-famous quote “sometimes you need to wear a suit, sometimes a helmet” resurfaced as he praised the fans’ unwavering commitment. “You were always with us in the fight, wearing the helmet,” he said, underlining the grit and loyalty Ajax supporters displayed through every challenge the team faced.

Even as he steps away, Farioli voiced full confidence in the club’s future. “Keep supporting the team. But also keep learning, keep being patient,” he urged. “Ajax will return to greatness. More trophies will shine in the museum, and your love for this incredible club will last forever.”

He ended the post with a powerful, almost poetic farewell: “And in my heart. Once an Ajacied, always an Ajacied.”

Farioli’s time at Ajax may have lasted just a season, but it was a season that revived belief, restored a connection between team and supporters, and brought back a sense of identity that had been missing. His words reflect a man who didn’t simply coach a club he embraced its values, its history, and its people. His departure leaves a legacy not measured by the number of trophies, but by the sense of togetherness he helped rebuild.

In a time when football can feel increasingly transactional and distant, Farioli’s message stands out a reminder that passion, gratitude, and emotional honesty still have a place at the highest level of the game.