""It's a painful decision. But looking back at the past few months, we must conclude that things have turned out quite differently from what we had envisioned. We've seen too little progress and have unnecessarily dropped points. We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes. We have given John that time, but we believe it's best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team.""
"Ajax have dismissed head coach John Heitinga after just 11 Eredivisie matches under the former Liverpool assistant. Heitinga, who assisted Arne Slot in Liverpool's title-winning 2024-25 campaign after representing their Merseyside rivals Everton during his playing career, was only appointed in May. He joined the Amsterdam giants following the departure of Francesco Farioli, who stepped down after a spectacular collapse saw them miss out on the title, having held a nine-point lead over eventual champions PSV with only five games remaining in 2024-25."
John Heitinga was dismissed as Ajax head coach after 11 Eredivisie matches, with the club sitting fourth on 20 points and eight behind leaders Feyenoord and PSV. Ajax also sit bottom of their Champions League group after a 3-0 home loss to Galatasaray, recording four defeats from four games. Heitinga had been appointed in May after assisting at Liverpool and replacing Francesco Farioli, whose late-season collapse cost a title. Ajax terminated Heitinga's contract through 2027 and also removed assistant Marcel Keizer. Technical director Alex Kroes offered to resign but was asked to remain; Fred Grim will take over temporarily.
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