PSV Eindhoven were declared Dutch champions for the 25th time on Sunday, their first trophy since 2018, in a season marked by the collapse of rivals Ajax.
Peter Bosz’s side secured the Eredivisie title with two games to spare after defeating Sparta Rotterdam 4-2 in a party atmosphere at the bright Philips Stadion.
This meant that Feyenoord, in second position, could no longer catch PSV, who celebrated in front of their ecstatic fans at the final whistle.
Eindhoven has had a memorable season, with Brazilians Romario and Ronaldo, as well as Dutch superstars Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben, all wearing the club’s jersey.
They went 17 games without losing a point in the Eredivisie, before breaking their unbroken streak on the 27th matchday with a 3-1 loss at NEC Nijmegen.
A 5-2 home triumph against Ajax and a crucial 2-1 victory away at Feyenoord’s formidable De Kuip stadium placed PSV on their path to the title.
PSV’s success this season has been largely due to the form of experienced Dutch striker Luuk de Jong, who has 27 goals and is the league’s joint leading scorer.
This club has a long way to go before matching the fabled 1987/88 Guus Hiddink-coached squad that swept all before them, defeating Benfica on penalties in the European Cup final.
However, the Eredivisie trophy will alleviate PSV’s frustrations from previous seasons, when the club finished second three times in a row, while Ajax or Feyenoord won the championship.
PSV also had a successful run in Europe, finishing second in a Champions League group that contained Arsenal, Sevilla, and Lens before losing to Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
Horror season for Ajax
Feyenoord can consider themselves unlucky to have faced an all-conquering PSV this season, as the Rotterdam club has only lost twice in the top league.
The De Kuip faithful will settle for second place and a Dutch Cup win, but their coach, Arne Slot, is likely to leave for Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Meanwhile, Ajax fans would accept anything following a season that would make Johan Cruyff turn in his grave.
The four-time European Cup winners appear unlikely to qualify for any European football next season, sitting a humiliating fifth place, nine points below AZ Alkmaar.
PSV’s 5-2 victory over Ajax in October was particularly satisfying for the Eindhoven club because it temporarily relegated their regular opponents to historic bottom place in the Eredivisie.
Ajax, a club that includes Cruyff, Marco Van Basten, and Dennis Bergkamp among its alumni, suffered another historic low when they were relegated to amateur club Hercules in the Netherlands.
The Amsterdam club’s low point occurred in early April, when they were humiliated in De Kuip, losing 6-0 to Feyenoord in the Dutch “Klassieker.”
Frustrations on the pitch have escalated into violence in the stands and disarray in the boardroom.
Alex Kroes, CEO and chairman, was suspended on suspicion of insider trading but returned a few weeks later as technical director.
A few days after his suspension, it was revealed that club chairman Michael van Praag, who had openly lambasted Kroes, had “forgotten” to report his personal stakes in the club to the appropriate authorities.
Vitesse Arnhem was relegated for the first time in 35 seasons after the Dutch football association levied an 18-point punishment on them.
They are now sitting on two points following their punishment for violating the league’s license regulations.