The Amsterdammers are to instigate a new management structure following the release of a report this week which criticised the running of the club over the last decade.

An appointed committee, led by former director Uri Coronel, released their report over the weekend and the findings made difficult reading for the board.

The club's members council met on Tuesday to discuss the findings of the report and decided drastic action was necessary.

An Ajax statement read: "The current board, which consists of chairman John Jaakke, technical board member Hennie Henrichs and financial board member Joop Saan, are of the opinion that the new structure needs new people to implement it.

"That's why the board have announced that they will step down as soon as the new structure of the club is ready and the people are in place.

"That will be the case before the end of the current season."

Cruyff - a former Ajax player and coach - was present at a meeting of the club's council on Tuesday night and the club have announced he is to be given a technical role.

"Further deliberation is needed to fill in the details of that," the statement added.

The return of Cruyff will heighten speculation that his friend Marco van Basten will take over as coach after leading Holland at Euro 2008.