Ajax sack John Heitinga after Champions League disaster

Ajax officially parted ways with coach John Heitinga after a series of poor performances in the Champions League. The decision was made on the evening of November 6, terminating the contract that was valid until June 2027.

Ajax sack John Heitinga after Champions League disaster.

Former goalkeeper Fred Grim will take temporary charge of the first team while the board look for a replacement. Technical director Alex Kroes called it a “heartbreaking decision”, but admitted the team had “lack of clear progress for many months”. He said Ajax had dropped too many points and needed a new direction to save the season.

Kroes also offered to step down early, despite his contract not expiring until the end of the season. He wanted to pave the way for a new technical director to take over sooner. Ajax are currently bottom of the Champions League after four straight defeats, and fourth in the Eredivisie.

Earlier, AD.nl revealed that Kroes had met former coach Erik ten Hag at his home in Huizen. The two were said to have “only had coffee”, but this information has sparked speculation about the possibility of Ten Hag returning. The 55-year-old coach, who helped Ajax reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019, is unemployed after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen in August.

Heitinga was appointed after Francesco Farioli left the club at the end of last season. Despite having been assistant to Arne Slot at Liverpool, he was seen as lacking managerial experience, a position that fans saw as a sign of the club's declining ambition.

Ajax will have a chance to regain their honor in the next Champions League match, against Benfica on November 25, their only opponent still empty-handed after four matches.

Source: https://znews.vn/ajax-sa-thai-john-heitinga-sau-tham-hoa-champions-league-post1600678.html