Ajax Implodes: John Heitinga Sacked After Disastrous Start
John Heitinga's tenure as Ajax manager has come to an end after a string of poor results, including a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Galatasaray.
“We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes...”
John Heitinga's time as Ajax manager has come to an end. The club announced his departure on Thursday, following a dismal start to the season that saw them suffer four consecutive defeats in the Champions League, including a 3-0 thrashing at home to Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Heitinga's dismissal marks a swift end to his reign as Ajax manager, which began in July after he left his role as assistant coach under Arne Slot at Liverpool. The club's technical director, Alex Kroes, expressed gratitude to Heitinga for his efforts while wishing him well in the future.
“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,” technical director Alex Kroes said in a club statement.
“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. We hope to present a new head coach together as soon as possible.”
Ajax has parted ways with manager John Heitinga and assistant coach Marcel Keizer, with assistant manager Fred Grim taking over as caretaker until a permanent replacement is found.
“We thank John and Marcel for their efforts and wish Fred the best of luck, starting with Sunday’s away match in Utrecht.”
Technical Director Alex Kroes Offers to Step Down Amid Ajax Crisis
In a stunning move, Ajax's technical director Alex Kroes has offered to relinquish his position in the wake of John Heitinga's departure and Marcel Keizer's exit. Kroes has taken responsibility for the club's struggles but will remain in his role for now, following an appeal from the Supervisory Board and fellow board members to prioritize continuity.
“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.”
Ajax's season has been a disaster from the start, with the team struggling to find their footing. The club appointed John Heitinga as their new manager in May, after Francesco Farioli's sudden departure. Heitinga's previous experience as an assistant to Arne Slot at Liverpool was a major factor in his appointment.
Ajax has suspended John Heitinga with immediate effect. The head coach’s contract was due to run until June 30, 2027, but will now be terminated. The same applies to assistant coach Marcel Keizer. Ajax is looking for a new head coach; in the meantime, Fred Grim will take over… pic.twitter.com/phMVZ7PbYI
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) November 6, 2025
Heitinga's tenure got off to a shaky start, with Ajax managing only wins against Telstar, Heracles Almelo, and PEC Zwolle at home, while drawing against Go Ahead Eagles and FC Volendam away. Their UEFA Champions League campaign hasn't fared much better, starting with a 2-0 home loss to Inter last year.
The team's performance hasn't improved much since then, and their latest loss to Galatasaray has led to Heitinga's dismissal. Ajax are now searching for a new manager, with Fred Grim taking over as caretaker until a replacement is found.
Things took a turn for the worse after Ajax's 2-2 draw at PSV, with the team delivering their worst performance of the season in a 2-1 win over NAC Breda in Amsterdam. The real low point came soon after, when Olympique Marseille handed Ajax a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the Champions League - the team's joint-largest away loss in the competition.
This loss marked the beginning of a downward spiral, with Ajax managing just one win in their next seven games. The lone victory came against FC Twente, with a 3-2 win away from home. However, the team's struggles continued, culminating in a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Galatasaray on Wednesday, which proved to be the final straw for manager John Heitinga.
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