Since the late 1960s Ajax have been the standard bearers in European football of innovation, the power of the system and the production of youth talent. From the time of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff developing total football to the Louis Van Gaal side that reached consecutive Champions League finals – winning in 1995 – in the mid 90s with a home-grown side, the Amsterdam club has consistently punched well above its weight, with much of the credit given to the youth system. In the face of the richly financed European opposition, and the hampering effects of the Bosman ruling, however this place in European football has been weakened significantly.

In 2010 Johan Cruyff wrote of his dismay at the current state of Ajax. His words had a massive impact, sparking what became known as the Velvet revolution. I would see Cruyff and several former Ajax players move into positions of power in the club as they set about tearing down what Ajax had developed and seen the rest of the world imitate, and instead move towards a new way of creating the football geniuses of tomorrow.

One of the players heavily involved in that revolution is Dennis Bergkamp, a man who now wields considerable influence on he famed Ajax youth academy.

David Winner is one of the foremost experts on Dutch football, having written the superb ‘Brilliant Orange’, which brilliantly laid out the madness behind the Dutch genius.

Winner’s most recent work concerns Bergkamp, and looks into the velvet revolution of 2010. Winner spoke with Off the Ball tonight, giving us a detailed look at a revolution that could reshape football itself.

Explaining the new system, and how it betters the previous system, Winner says: “They’ve torn up the old system based education idea – which is that everybody plays 4-3-3 and everybody learns their position and everybody’s tactically and technically drilled – and the new system is to emphasise individuality and creativity.

“[It is] intensive tuition by the best football minds in Holland.

“The whole idea is to develop extremely original, gifted individuals.

“Systems come later – they think that’s the thing everybody’s going to be copying a decade from now.”

It’s a story that looks set to run and produce remarkable consequences. As Winner said to Off the Ball, “There’s something happening in Amsterdam now.”

Listen to the chat with David Winner - and the rest of tonight's Football Show - via the player below or download the Football Show on iTunes