John Heitinga worked under Arne Slot in Liverpool in the past year and was an important part of the coaching staff because the team won the Premier League title – but now he is poached by Boyhood Club Ajax
Liverpool assistant -coach John Heitinga has left Anfield to become the new boss of Ajax, after only one season under Arne Slot. The former Everton defender was an important part of Slot's Staf that helped the coach to win the Premier League in his first season and is highly appreciated as a coach.
He was previously linked to other coaching roles and was a target for West Brom after the exit of Carlos Corberan in December, before the baggies chose to hire Tony Mowbray – who was fired after just three months.
Now Heitinga has now got a much more controversial job at his boy's club Ajax, who was looking for a new coach after Francesco Farioli decided to leave his position after just one season.
Heitinga started his coaching career with the youth teams of Ajax in 2021 for a short spell as interim manager of the first team in 2023. He later developed his skills as an assistant to David Moyes at West Ham before he joined Slot last summer.
In a statement, Heita said: “I am incredibly excited to start. In recent years in England have done a lot of good. I have been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while I also got a look behind the scenes to two large clubs.
“I am ready to continue as a head coach and I am honored to get that chance at Ajax.”
Ajax greeted Heitinga's ability after his appointment and said that his “drive” and ambitions like a manger pulled them to him.
Club chef Alex Kroes said: “John is a good coach with a huge drive. He is ambitious and has developed further in the Premier League and the Champions League in recent years.
“[Sporting director] Marijn Beuker and I spoke to him last year and have remained contact ever since. “
Heitinga's primary goal will be to restore the Eredivisie title to Ajax after a three -season drought.
The Amsterdam – outfit looked like they would finally break that run after being nine points clearly to be seven points – before they surrender to PSV, who pipped them with one point on the last day.
Heita managed Liverpool for two games this season after Slot and Assistant Manager Sipke Hulschoff were forbidden, resulting in a 2-0 win over Newcastle and a 3-1 win against Southampton.