Ajax parted ways with head coach Francesco Farioli at the end of the campaign
The Dutch side needed six points from five games to win league but got just five
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By LEWIS STEELE
Published: 18:52 EDT, 27 May 2025 | Updated: 18:52 EDT, 27 May 2025
Ajax are looking to poach Arne Slot’s right-hand man Johnny Heitinga as the Amsterdam club look for a new manager.
Heitinga, the former Everton defender, played an important role in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph but looks ready to take on a first-team managerial role next season.
The 41-year-old held an interim role at Ajax in 2023 before joining David Moyes’s staff at West Ham. The now Everton boss spoke very highly of his coaching ability.
He was headhunted by Slot last year to form part of his backroom team and leads training sessions and helps with analysis, taking on the role as mentor to several players, including Ryan Gravenberch.
He also speaks several languages including Spanish which has been helpful for the likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
West Brom considered taking him on mid-season but he was committed to winning the league at Liverpool.
Liverpool assistant manager Johnny Heitinga (right) is subject to interest from Ajax
Heitinga held an interim role at Ajax back in 2023 before joining the Reds backroom staff at the start of this season
Arne Slot (left) believes his right-hand man is ready to take the leap into a managerial role
Asked about the possibility of Heitinga leaving last week, Slot said: ‘If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him. He is ready to take on a job like that.
‘If John is smart, he would stay one more season.’
Ajax combusted in the Dutch Eredivisie title race recently and parted company with Italian boss Francesco Farioli.
Arne SlotLiverpool