John Heitinga returns to Ajax as head coach after Premier League success | OneFootball

Ajax have named John Heitinga as their new manager following the departure of Francesco Farioli.

Farioli resigned after overseeing a dramatic late-season collapse in the Eredivisie title race.

His side squandered a nine-point lead over PSV Eindhoven with just five matches left, ultimately falling short of a first league crown since 2022.

Heitinga returns to the club where he made his name as a player and briefly managed in 2023. He served as interim boss for six months that year, guiding Ajax to a third-place finish before moving abroad.

The 87-cap Netherlands international has spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach in the Premier League.

He worked under David Moyes at West Ham United, then joined Arne Slot’s backroom staff at Liverpool, who were crowned champions last season.

“I am incredibly excited to start,” Heitinga said. “The last years in England have done me a lot of good.

“I’ve been able to develop further alongside top coaches while getting a behind-the-scenes look at two major clubs.

“I’m ready to continue as a head coach and I’m honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax.”

Heitinga’s roots with the Amsterdam club run deep. A graduate of Ajax’s famed academy, he made his senior debut aged 17 in a tense away win at Feyenoord in 2001.

Over two spells, he played 218 official games for Ajax, won two Eredivisie titles and wore the captain’s armband.

Following his retirement in 2016, he returned to De Toekomst to coach in various roles.

He led Ajax’s U19s to a national title and also impressed with Jong Ajax, before stepping into the first-team role temporarily in early 2023.

Ajax sporting director Marijn Beuker and technical director Alex Kroes said they have maintained contact with Heitinga since then.

“John is a good coach with enormous drive,” Kroes said. “He is ambitious and has further developed himself over the past few years in the Premier League and Champions League.”

Heitinga’s appointment marks a full-circle return to the club where he spent years as a player, youth coach and interim manager.

He now takes full charge at a time when Ajax are desperate to reassert themselves as the dominant force in Dutch football.