The new-look Eredivisie champions prepare to get the defence of their title under way at Roda JC this weekend. The Enschede outfit pipped Ajax by a point last term to clinch the first league crown in the club's history, but Munsterman is not expecting a similar success this term following a summer of upheaval. Michel Preud'homme has taken over as coach from Steve McClaren, who left for Wolfsburg, while veteran forward Blaise NKufo has moved to the Seattle Sounders and defender Ronnie Stam departed to Wigan. "I want the team not to have to put up with unnecessarily high pressures," Munsterman told Voetbal International. "We have a new coaching staff in and major players have left. "With all the changes it is naive to think that everything will be working correctly within two or three months. "I'll be glad if we directly qualify for the Europa League this season." Ajax will be looking to reclaim the title and will do so under the guidance of Martin Jol after the former Tottenham manager decided to stay in Amsterdam despite interest from Fulham. Jol's side start their season at FC Groningen on Sunday, and will make the trip buoyed by their progression this week to the Champions League play-offs on away goals after last night's 3-3 draw at PAOK Salonika secured a 4-4 overall result in the third qualifying round. "For the neutral spectator it was a great match. Over the two games I thought we were the better team," Jol told Dutch television programme NOS Journaal. "It would be good for the club financially and for the development of our boys to be playing Champions League matches." PSV Eindhoven, who finished third last season, also begin the campaign away from home at Heerenveen on Saturday. Holland midfielder Ibrahim Afellay could be involved despite much speculation this summer linking him with a move away from the Philips Stadion. "My contract is still in progress. I am looking forward with PSV and I am happy," he said. "My focus is on PSV. I have not spoken with PSV and there is nothing concrete to take me away from here." In other games on Saturday, NEC Nijmegen play VVV Venlo, Heracles Almelo host Willem II and De Graafschap face fellow top-flight new boys Excelsior. Feyenoord summer signing Ruben Schaken will watch his team's opener against FC Utrecht from the stands at De Kuip on Sunday as he serves a suspension imposed last season while at VVV Venlo, but the 28-year-old forward cannot wait to get started at Excelsior on August 15. "At some point preparations start to become a little tedious," he told www.feyenoord.nl. "We want the team to show what we are capable of, something that applies to me personally too. I think we will have a good year at Feyenoord. Most of the boys are still very young, but they are good players." Also on Sunday, 2009 champions AZ Alkmaar visit NAC Breda and Vitesse Arnhem tackle ADO Den Haag.
