Ajax has announced the appointment of former Netherlands defender John Heitinga as their new head coach, following a club statement on Saturday.
The 41-year-old Heitinga returns to the club where his playing career began, taking over from Francesco Farioli, who stepped down last week after Ajax’s stunning collapse in the title race.
Heitinga has signed a two-year contract and will be joined by Marcel Kaizer, who had a brief stint as Ajax’s head coach in 2017.
This past season, Heitinga has been part of the coaching setup under Arne Slot at Premier League champions Liverpool. He also had a spell on David Moyes’s coaching team at West Ham.
“I am absolutely thrilled to get started. My time in England over the past few years has been incredibly beneficial,” Heitinga remarked in a statement released by the club.
“I have had the opportunity to grow alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also gaining valuable insights at two significant clubs.
“I am ready to take on the role of head coach, and I feel privileged to have been given this chance at Ajax.”
Ajax’s season ended on a sour note as they squandered a nine-point cushion with just five matches remaining, enabling PSV Eindhoven to seize the league title on the final day.
Farioli had revitalised a team that had suffered a disappointing fifth-place finish during the 2023-24 season, but he chose to resign due to “differing visions” with the club’s management.
Heitinga, who previously played for Atletico Madrid, Everton and Fulham, hung up his boots in 2016 after a short second spell with his childhood club Ajax.
Internationally, he earned 87 caps for the Netherlands but was sent off during extra time in the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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