New Blood at Ajax Amsterdam: Heitinga Takes the Helm
Former Hertha player Heitinga appointed as manager by Ajax Amsterdam. - Amsterdam's Ajax has appointed Heinza as their new coach.
Soccer enthusiasts, buckle up! Ajax Amsterdam has a new man in charge, and he's no stranger to the pitch. John Heitinga, the former Dutch national team player turned coach, has been appointed as the new head honcho, and he's ready to steer the team towards victories until the summer of 2027.
Heitinga, a seasoned pro with stints at clubs like Hertha BSC during his playing days, has made Ajax his latest port of call. However, it's his ties with Ajax that truly shine in his coaching career.
The 41-year-old, who served as a youth coach at Ajax before his interim stint in 2023, arrived back at the club after a successful spell as an assistant to Dutch coach Arne Slot at English champs FC Liverpool.
"Leading the boys at Ajax is an honor I'm eager to embrace," beamed Heitinga, expressing his excitement about the new opportunity.
Back to the Roots
While Heitinga's coaching history boasts a wide range of clubs like West Ham United and Liverpool, his enduring bond with Ajax is evident. He even led Jong Ajax, the reserve team, to a title before stepping into the interim manager role in January 2023.
His brief stint as interim manager proved fruitful, with Ajax finishing third in the Eredivisie and reaching the KNVB Cup final, albeit falling short to PSV on penalties. His return as head coach in May 2025, now a permanent position, marks a significant milestone in his journey with Ajax.
Global Prowess
Before returning to his roots at Ajax, Heitinga honed his skills as an assistant coach under David Moyes at West Ham United. However, his tenure ended in May 2024, following Moyes' departure.
He later joined Liverpool as an assistant coach in July 2024 but left to take the reins at Ajax in May 2025. During his time at Liverpool, he showed his mettle by leading the team to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United, thanks to suspensions in the management team.
Ajax Amsterdam
John Heitinga
Soccer
Amsterdam
Hertha BSC Berlin
John Heitinga, during his playing years, represented clubs such as Hertha BSC Berlin, and now he leads Ajax Amsterdam in the world of soccer, returning to his roots in Amsterdam. Heitinga's employment policy within the soccer community has seen him serve as a youth coach at Ajax, an assistant coach at West Ham United and Liverpool FC, and most recently, the head coach of Ajax Amsterdam, where he aims to implement his coaching policies until the summer of 2027, fostering a successful sports culture within the club.
