John Heitinga joins Ajax as head coach following his departure from Liverpool as assistant manager to Arne Slot.
In order to rejoin the Dutch team Ajax as their head coach, John Heitinga resigned from his position as assistant manager of Liverpool.
Before serving as Ajax’s interim head coach and reserve team manager, the former Netherlands defender played more than 200 games for the team.
Marcel Keizer, another product of the Ajax academy, will provide assistance to the 41-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract with the team.
Francesco Farioli, who departed Ajax last week after his only season as manager ended with a collapse at the end of the season, is replaced by Heitinga.
Farioli’s club finished one point behind winners PSV Eindhoven, despite leading the Eredivisie by nine points with seven games remaining.
That meant that Ajax, who have won the Dutch title a record 36 times, would go without a trophy for the third consecutive season.
“John is a good coach with enormous drive,” said their technical director Alex Kroes.
“He is ambitious and has further developed himself over the past few years in the Premier League and Champions League.
“John knows the club well and we are convinced that he, together with Marcel, will help improve our players and build on the progress made since last summer.”
“I am incredibly excited to start,” said Heitinga, who also played for Atletico Madrid, Everton, Fulham and Hertha Berlin.
“The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I’m ready to continue as a head coach and I’m honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax.”