Former Ajax manager Maurice Steijn revealed during a television broadcast on Thursday, July 2, 2026, that senior players Davy Klaassen and Steven Berghuis internally opposed his decision to appoint Steven Bergwijn as team captain in August 2023.
Speaking on the talk show Vandaag Inside, Steijn explained how the departures of several key squad leaders forced him into a difficult decision regarding the armband.
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The revelation came as commentators drew parallels to Robin van Persie's recent controversial captaincy choices at Feyenoord.
Steijn used his past experience at Ajax to defend Van Persie's choice to initially appoint his son, Sem Steijn, as Feyenoord captain after Quinten Timber lost the role.
Sem Steijn had arrived at Feyenoord following a major transfer from FC Twente, where he was named the Eredivisie Player of the Year.
The captaincy at Feyenoord shifted again in January when Van Persie appointed goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, while Sem Steijn subsequently suffered injuries and lost his starting spot.
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Algemeen Dagblad reporter Mikos Gouka previously reported that Sem Steijn's high transfer fee makes a potential bench role too expensive, clouding his future at the club.
During the program, analyst Johan Derksen criticized the management of the young midfielder at Feyenoord, directly confronting the former Sparta Rotterdam coach.
Derksen argued that the mid-season captaincy removal severely disrupted the player's momentum.
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Steijn declined to comment on the analyst's critique of the Feyenoord manager but noted that his son's injury rehabilitation is currently progressing well.
