Former Dutch International Urby Emanuelson has confirmed that he will join Ajax's John Heitinga staff.
The 39-year-old Emanuelson started his professional career at Ajax after spending years in the famous youth academy of the club. The versatile Emanuelson played 255 matches for Ajax between 2004 and 2011, won the KNVB Cup three times and claimed three Johan Cruyff Shields. The 17-time Dutch international then played for AC Milan, Fulham, AS Roma, Atalanta, Hellas Verona, Sheffield Wednesday and FC Utrecht before retired in 2022.
After his retirement, Emanuelson recorded assistant roles at FC Utrecht before returning to Ajax, where he has been assistant manager for the U21 side of the club since 2023.
Emanuelson, who is in Slovakia as an expert for the U21 Euro, confirmed on X that he will start a new position at Ajax.
“The news is out. I was way too much in the news in recent days. Back to business as usual. Making our players better,” said Emanuelson.
The former Dutch international told Ziggo Sport that the former Dutch international will not take the role as an assistant, but will work more closely with the players and acts as a bridge between the coach and the staff.