⚽ Ajax Confirm the Sacking of John Heitinga After Poor Run of Results
Dutch giants Ajax have confirmed that manager John Heitinga has been sacked less than six months after taking charge, following a disappointing start to the 2025–26 season.
The 41-year-old coach — who joined from Liverpool, where he served as assistant to Arne Slot during their Premier League-winning campaign — managed just five victories in 11 Eredivisie matches. Ajax currently sit eight points behind league leaders Feyenoord, and their Champions League campaign has been a disaster.
The decision comes after a 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray, marking Ajax’s fourth consecutive loss in the Champions League group stage, leaving them bottom of their group and facing early elimination.
🧠 A Short and Turbulent Tenure for John Heitinga
Heitinga’s dismissal ends what many fans and pundits have called a turbulent and uninspiring tenure. The former Netherlands international, who made over 200 appearances as a player for Ajax, was appointed in May 2025, signing a two-year deal to replace Francesco Farioli.
Despite optimism surrounding his homecoming, results never truly improved. Ajax’s performances lacked identity and consistency, with fans growing increasingly frustrated by their team’s inability to dominate matches or compete in Europe.
The Amsterdam club’s struggles are particularly painful given their long-standing reputation for developing young talent and playing attacking, possession-based football — traits that have historically defined Ajax’s identity.
💬 Ajax Technical Director: “A Painful but Necessary Decision”
Ajax’s technical director Alex Kroes confirmed the decision in a statement released on the club’s official website.
“It’s a painful decision,” Kroes admitted. “We know it can take time for a new coach to build his vision and work with a squad that has undergone many changes.
But after extensive discussions, we believe it’s best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team moving forward.”
Kroes revealed that assistant coach Marcel Keizer will also leave the club as part of the shake-up. Kroes himself offered to resign following the disappointing run but was encouraged to remain to help stabilize the club.
In the meantime, Fred Grim, a 60-year-old former Dutch goalkeeper and current assistant coach, will take over as interim manager while Ajax begin their search for a permanent replacement.
🔁 Erik ten Hag Linked With a Shock Return
According to several Dutch media outlets, Ajax are considering a sensational move to bring Erik ten Hag back to the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ten Hag, who famously led Ajax to the 2019 Champions League semi-final, has endured a difficult period since leaving the club. After being sacked by Manchester United in October 2024, he joined Bayer Leverkusen in Germany — but lasted just two Bundesliga games before being dismissed in September 2025.
While a return to Ajax would excite many supporters, club sources have reportedly stated that “no formal talks” have yet taken place.
📉 Ajax’s Decline and Heitinga’s Struggles
Heitinga’s tenure began with optimism but quickly unraveled. Despite a strong preseason, Ajax’s defensive fragility and lack of creativity in attack were exposed early on.
- Eredivisie Record (2025–26): 11 games – 5 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses
- Champions League Record: 4 losses from 4 matches
- Goals Scored: 14 | Goals Conceded: 17
The 3-0 defeat to Galatasaray proved to be the final straw. Boos echoed around the Johan Cruyff Arena, with supporters displaying banners calling for change and criticizing the board’s lack of direction.
🏟️ Ajax’s Coaching Carousel Continues
Heitinga’s sacking marks another chapter in Ajax’s recent managerial instability. Since Ten Hag’s departure to Manchester United in 2022, the club has gone through multiple head coaches — including Alfred Schreuder, Maurice Steijn, Francesco Farioli, and now Heitinga.
This revolving door of coaches has led to inconsistent performances, player unrest, and a clear disconnect between Ajax’s youth academy and senior squad — a hallmark of the club’s past success.
Football analysts suggest that Ajax’s board must prioritize long-term stability and re-establish their traditional identity rooted in youth development, attacking flair, and technical excellence.
🗣️ Fan Reaction: “A Club That’s Lost Its Way”
Reaction from supporters has been mixed. While some sympathize with Heitinga — a beloved former player — many believe the club’s problems run deeper than the coach himself.
“Heitinga’s heart was in the right place, but Ajax look lost. It’s not just about tactics anymore — it’s about direction,” one fan told Dutch outlet Voetbal International.
Others have called for the return of Ten Hag or even former captain Daley Blind in a future coaching role to “bring Ajax DNA back into the club.”
🔮 What’s Next for Ajax?
In the short term, Ajax will rely on Fred Grim to stabilize results and salvage their Europa League qualification hopes. Longer term, the club must make a strategic decision about its leadership — whether that means turning back to Ten Hag or appointing a fresh, modern thinker capable of rebuilding the team from the ground up.
Their next fixture will be crucial, as they face AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie this weekend, followed by a must-win Champions League clash against Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Leave a Reply