 Under manager Ronald Koeman he managed to become a regular in the starting line-up as a midfielder forming a partnership with Jordy Clasie and Otman Bakkal.On 11 September 2011, he scored his first goal since 2009 in a 3–1 win over NAC Breda.On 16 October 2011, El Ahmadi scored again this season in a 4–0 win over VVV-Venlo.