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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ajax confirm Heitinga appointment</li><li>Was previously interim boss</li><li>Leaves Arne Slot's Liverpool staff</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ajax confirm appointment of John Heitinga as new manager with Liverpool & Arne Slot shorn of key member of coaching staff

<p>Heitinga <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ajax-manager-francesco-farioli-quits-eredivisie-title-race-collapse-erik-ten-hag-candidate-to-return/blte320f7a0eed27ec5" target="_blank">replaces Francesco Farioli</a> at the Eredivisie club after they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ultimate-bottle-job-jordan-henderson-ajax-epic-eredivisie-title-collapse/blt8920354695e247e9" target="_blank">capitulated at the end of the 2024-25 season to lose out on the title to PSV</a>. The Dutchman leaves a vacancy at Anfield, where he had worked underneath Slot this term, while he had previously spent time at West Ham with David Moyes.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Heitinga said: "I am incredibly excited to start. The last years in&nbsp;England have done me a lot of good. I've been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also 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."</p>

WHAT HEITINGA SAID

<p>Heitinga was previously interim head coach at Ajax, leading them to third place in the league in the 2022-23 season before the club chose to appoint Maurice Steijn. He now takes the job on a full-time basis.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Heitinga's first job is to restore Ajax to their previous heights, the club having gone three seasons without an Eredivisie title. By finishing second in 2024-25, they did secure qualification for the Champions League - but the new boss may have to take on that challenge without club captain Jordan Henderson, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jordan-henderson-back-premier-league-sunderland-set-sights-homecoming-transfer-ajax-captain/bltc3e0f0aea7a3564d" target="_blank">who has been linked with a return to Sunderland</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR AJAX?

Ajax confirm appointment of John Heitinga as new manager with Liverpool & Arne Slot shorn of key member of coaching staff | Goal.com

John Heitinga has left Arne Slot&apos;s Liverpool coaching staff to become the new manager of Dutch giants Ajax. 