Heitinga is hired by AJAX as a new manager

Ajax Amsterdam has named John Heitinga as their next coach.

The former Netherlands defender has agreed to a two-year contract, the Eredivisie team announced on Saturday.

When Liverpool won the Premier League, Heitinga was one of Arne Slot’s assistants.

Heitinga grew up in Ajax’s youth divisions before spending seven and a half seasons with the senior team.

Marcel Keizer, Heitinga’s deputy and a former club manager, has agreed to a contract with Ajax for an equivalent period of time.

Alex Kroes, Technical Director, stated on the club website that John is familiar with the organization.

In terms of, say, top sporting culture and discipline, we are certain that he and Marcel will assist develop our players and build on the gains since last summer.

Heitinga succeeds Italian Francesco Farioli, who left earlier this month after a year in command.

After blowing a nine-point lead and falling to PSV Eindhoven on the final day of the season, Ajax, who have won the league 36 times, ended the season in second place.

The last time Ajax won the league title was in 2021–2022.

The decision to put them in charge starting at the end of June was made early in the summer vacation, which is good.

The squad makeup for the upcoming season can now be finalized in collaboration with John and the other stakeholders,” Kroes continued.

After returning to Ajax in 2016, Heitinga, a former defender for Atletico Madrid and Everton, retired from playing and began coaching junior and reserve teams.

In 2023, he was also briefly named Ajax’s acting coach following Alfred Schreuder’s dismissal.

Before joining Liverpool, Heitinga, who earned 87 caps for the Netherlands, served as David Moyes’s assistant at West Ham United.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Heitinga declared.

“I’ve benefited greatly from the past few years in England.

Alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, I’ve been able to grow as a player and have an inside look at two elite teams.

“I am honored to have been given the chance to continue as a head coach at Ajax, and I am prepared to do so.”