Then there was the small matter of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The star striker, who had been brought in by Van Gaal’s predecessor, had made a name for himself by tearing up the Dutch Eredivisie for Ajax. He also made an impression during Ajax’s Champions League campaigns, so in the summer of 2004, it was obvious big clubs were going to make bids for him. Koeman, however, was determined to hold on to the Swedish star.