Despite Ajax throwing away a healthy lead, Jonk believes they do still have plenty of positives to take from the season.
Jonk, who is assistant coach with the Netherlands, can see how the likes of Jorrel Hato, Kenneth Taylor, Brian Brobbey and Youri Baas have developed their game with all being called up to the national team in recent matches.
And then there is former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, who has been important in his role as a captain.
“Henderson is a leading player,” said Jonk.
“You could see he had a difficult start at the club, but this season he’s been much better. He is coming into his own game now the structure around him, especially defensively, has improved.”
Several Ajax players have indicated how England midfielder Henderson has been important off the pitch, too, with his dedication and professionalism helping a young Ajax team in their development.
After a very difficult 2023-24 campaign, they seemed to be on their way to the title this season.
Remarkable as well was that they won all their games against PSV and Feyenoord, but then started dropping points in the final few matches and losing the top spot in the penultimate game.
Jonk experienced a very close title race as an Ajax player in 1991, when they lost a crucial penultimate game 1-0 at SVV, who were fighting relegation.
In the end they lost the title to PSV on goal difference.
“In those final matches of the season, a huge amount of pressure can build on a team – especially when everything is on the line,” Jonk said.
“Staying close-knit as a team is crucial and sometimes you need a bit of luck as well.
“I remember in the SVV-Ajax match that we created a lot of chances, but didn’t score. Then we conceded one chance which went in. Those are the moments that just happen in football.
“You’ve seen enough of those in recent weeks, whether it was Inter against Barcelona or other matches where anything could happen.”
This is all the more true for the Eredivisie 2024-25 season.
The plot twists were so unexpected that the Dutch league suddenly became one of the most talked-about in the footballing world.
