David Endt, historic team manager of Ajax was interviewed by Tuttomercatoweb.com and talked about Zlatan Ibrahimovic in celebration of reaching 501 goals. Here are his words:
"The first time I heard of a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in March 2001 and I was in the weekly meeting of the Ajax coaching staff. Sitting at the table with me were our technical director, coaches and scouts of the club. Ibra was identified by our scout: 'He is a forward worthy of Ajax', he said. 'He has the technical means and the right courage. But he has a somewhat particular character.'"
"So we decided to follow Zlatan with great attention. Once the league in Sweden was over, we had the opportunity to see him in the training camp of the Swedish national team in Spain. Later, we decided to present an offer, even if we thought it was a little exaggerated for a boy of just 20 years, for almost 9 million euros."
What memory do you have of the first Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
"He was already famous when he arrived to AJax. He was a big image for the boys. We, as a club, had been informed of his difficult character and therefore prepared to try to manage him. He did not understand criticism, he especially did not accept the reproach of having to play more for the team. He didn't want to understand that professional football was something different from his style. Let's say he was stubborn."
Among the funniest anecdotes of the past, which one comes to mind in particular?
"In his first season Ibra said he didn't want to play with the family surname, 'Ibrahimovic', but with the more artistic 'Zlatan' written behind the shirt. The following year I had the shirts prepared just like that and he, at the first meeting, surprised once again: 'But how about Zlatan?' We said, and he replied with: 'I play with my surname: Ibrahimovic. My father told me that I have to do this.' I didn't really know what to answer him"
Now Zlatan Ibrahimovic is at AC Milan and being decisive at almost 40 years of age. Did you expect this?
"Thanks to his ability to score, he is proving to be the greatest. He deserves a Ballon d'Or. Ever since I saw him in the first day at Ajax, he seemed to have only one goal set in mind: to become the best. I'm happy for him and I really like the fact that he never feels full of goals, wins and titles, not even at the age of 40. The young people of Milan follow him with confidence and today Zlatan is more than ever an example. What more can I say to him, if not congratulations! Even the Ajax world is cheering for him."
