John Heitinga sacked as Ajax head coach, former boss Erik ten Hag among favourites to take over in Amsterdam
By Lewis Mason
Published 06/11/2025 at 17:01 GMT
React to this story
Following their 3-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, John Heitinga has been sacked as the head coach of Ajax. Technical director Alex Kroes has also offered his resignation, but board members are keen for him to stay at the club. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly the favourite to take over from Heitinga, in what would be a return to Amsterdam.
Highlights: Osimhen hat-trick sinks Ajax
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ajax have sacked head coach John Heitinga due to the team making "little progress" since he took over in the role at the end of May.
The Dutch side have been on a poor run of form, winning just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.
They currently sit in fourth position in the Eredivisie table, eight points behind Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven at the top.
Assistant coach Marcel Keizer has also been released from his contract and Fred Grim will take over the running of the team as they look for a new permanent head coach.
Heitinga’s final game in charge proved to be their UEFA Champions League humbling at home to Galatasaray - with the Turkish team running out 3-0 winners.
Speaking after the match, Heitinga was complimentary of this team and said: "We played with discipline for large parts of the match, and there were periods when we were very good. But then we conceded a real centre-forward goal, and it was very difficult after that."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/05/image-e5d6a5cd-056c-422e-b607-129d92ecfbcc-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Osimhen hat-trick sinks Ajax
Video credit: TNT Sports
"We played well in the last part of the first half. I complimented the boys because they dared to play out from the back. We created a couple of half chances. We also started the second half well. But in the end it wasn’t enough."
Heitinga’s positivity was not shared by the club’s board and his reign as manager is over.
Technical director Alex Kroes said: "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.Â
"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.Â
"We have given John that time, but we believe it’s best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team.Â
"We hope to present a new head coach together as soon as possible. We thank John and Marcel for their efforts and wish Fred the best of luck, starting with Sunday’s away match in Utrecht."
- Nine UEFA Champions League moments you may have missed
- VOTE: Where does Burn header rank in UEFA Champions League history?
- Euro Transfer News: Galatasaray want Messi on loan
As well as speaking of the decision to sack Heitinga, Kroes also offered his resignation.
Kroes said: "My contract runs until the end of the season; should the club appoint a new technical director earlier, I will hand over my responsibilities at that time."
The other board members have urged Kroes to remain in place "for the sake of continuity".
Ten Hag favourite to take over
Former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag is the early favourite to replace Heitinga at Ajax.
He was previously in charge of the club between 2018 and 2022 when he won three Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup on two occasions.
Football journalist, and transfer specialist, Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Ten Hag is already in talks over a return.
"Understand Erik ten Hag has been approached by Ajax over possible return to the club as Heitinga got sacked," Romano wrote.
"Talks ongoing but no decision yet by Erik ten Hag, who already didn’t advance in talks with Wolves."
Dutch paper De Telegraaf suggests, given recent history, whoever replaces Heitinga will have their work cut out.
The paper wrote: "After the departure of the sacked Heitinga, Ajax will have to look for its eighth manager in less than three and a half years.Â
"Erik ten Hag retired in the summer of 2022 with the league title and left for Manchester United. After that, no manager at the Amsterdam club finished their contract."
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement