Image Credits: Imago Images
Ajax have officially sacked former Liverpool coach John Heitinga.
It comes after the Dutch giants humbling 3-0 hammering at home to Turkish side Galatasaray in the Champions League this week.
Ajax are now bottom of the UEFA Champions League standings, with four losses out of four.
The club is also fourth in the Eredivisie, already eight points behind the likes of Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven.
A statement from the club reads:
“Ajax has suspended John Heitinga with immediate effect. The head coach’s contract was due to run until June 30, 2027, but will now be terminated. The same applies to assistant coach Marcel Keizer. Ajax is looking for a new head coach; in the meantime, Fred Grim will take over Heitinga’s duties.”
The AFCA Supporters Club today called unequivocally for Heitinga’s removal from the dugout, and it seems the majority of the fanbase got their wish.
Meanwhile, Ajax technical director Alex Kroes said of the sacking:
“It’s a painful decision. But looking back at the past few months, we must conclude that things have turned out quite differently from what we had envisioned.”
“We’ve seen too little progress and have unnecessarily dropped points. We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes.”
“We have given John that time, but we believe it’s best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team. We hope to present a new head coach together as soon as possible.”
“We thank John and Marcel for their efforts and wish Fred the best of luck, starting with Sunday’s away match in Utrecht.”
It will be interesting to see if John Heitinga would consider a return to Anfield after departing this past May.
The former Everton defender was highly regarded within Liverpool’s setup, earning praise from both players and Arne Slot, who was particularly keen for Heitinga to remain on the backroom staff last summer.
Ajax has suspended John Heitinga with immediate effect. The head coach’s contract was due to run until June 30, 2027, but will now be terminated. The same applies to assistant coach Marcel Keizer. Ajax is looking for a new head coach; in the meantime, Fred Grim will take over… pic.twitter.com/phMVZ7PbYI
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) November 6, 2025
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