John Heitinga has left his position as assistant manager at Liverpool to return to Ajax as the club’s new head coach.
The 41-year-old former Netherlands international brings a wealth of experience both on and off the pitch. He made over 200 appearances for Ajax during his playing career and has previously served as head coach of Jong Ajax as well as interim first-team manager.
Heitinga will be joined on the touchline by Marcel Keizer, another product of the Ajax system, as he takes over from Francesco Farioli. The Italian parted ways with the club last week after a dramatic collapse saw Ajax surrender a nine-point lead with seven matches remaining in the Eredivisie title race. They ultimately finished one point behind champions PSV Eindhoven, extending their trophy drought to a third consecutive season.
Ajax’s technical director Alex Kroes expressed confidence in the new leadership. “John is a good coach with enormous drive,” Kroes said. “He is ambitious and has developed himself in recent years in both the Premier League and the Champions League. He knows the club well and, together with Marcel, we believe he can continue our development and help push our players forward.”
Heitinga previously guided Ajax to 14 wins from 22 matches during a caretaker stint in the second half of the 2022–23 season, securing a third-place finish. He spent the 2023–24 season as a first-team coach at West Ham under David Moyes before joining Arne Slot’s coaching staff at Liverpool last summer. Slot’s debut season ended in triumph, with the Reds capturing their second Premier League title.
Now set for his first full-time head coaching role at senior level, Heitinga is relishing the challenge ahead. “I am incredibly excited to start,” he said. “The last few years in England have done me a lot of good. I’m ready to continue as a head coach, and I’m honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax.”
Heitinga’s return signals a fresh chapter for Ajax as they look to restore domestic dominance and re-establish themselves as a force in European football.
