Ajax has made Liverpool coach John Heitinga its number one target— alongside Marcel Keizer in a proposed joint manager arrangement — to replace the Italian Francesco Farioli this summer, it is claimed in the Netherlands.
In the Eredivisie, Jordan Henderson's side was nine points clear with a few weeks left of the season. But somehow, it managed to pick up two points in four games, allowing PSV to overtake in the league standings.
After such a remarkable collapse, Farioli and Ajax have parted ways despite it being one of the best seasons the Dutch giant has managed in recent seasons. And Heitinga is a highly-rated replacement.
The Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reports that Heitinga, the 41-year-old assistant to Arne Slot at Anfield, is open to making the move. In a joint position, Heitinga would be the lead coach with Keizer alongside him.
Keizer and Heitinga worked together with Jong Ajax, the youth team, and the former has already been in charge of Ajax's senior team for a short spell. It didn't work out at the time, in 2017, but there were mitigating circumstances.
Director of football Marc Overmars did not support his appointment and Keizer wanted three things — an assistant of his own choosing, a right back and a left back — which he was not given.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his assistants, Sipke Hulshoff and John Heitinga.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his assistants, Sipke Hulshoff and John Heitinga. (Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
Ahead of the season kicking off, Keizer also had to deal with the incredibly difficult situation surrounding Abdelhak Nouri.
The former Ajax midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest in a friendly against Werder Bremen and sustained serious and permanent brain damage.
Heitinga has been in charge of Ajax previously too. He was at the helm for a caretaker spell in 2023 and did well, but no permanent contract offer was presented.
Initially, he wasn't sure about taking the role but was successfully convinced by then-CEO Edwin van der Sar. Heitinga did very well, but in the end, when it came to a permanent appointment, Ajax went with Maurice Steijn, who was fired after two wins in 11 games, instead.
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Slot was asked about the possibility of losing Heitinga recently and he hinted that an exit was on the cards. But he also suggested that the former Everton midfielder might do another year at Anfield before moving on.
"If Ajax would be smart they would consider him," Slot said. "He is ready to take on a job like that. If John is smart, he would stay here one more season."
Liverpool.com says: Heitinga is very highly-rated as a coach but that doesn't always translate to management. There are lots of examples of exceptional coaches not becoming top-level managers, but it appears to be something that he wants to try.