June 01, (THEWILL) – Ajax Football Club has decided not to extend the contract of coach, John Heitinga, after a lacklustre 2022/2023 season.
Despite initially taking charge of the team in January, Heitinga’s tenure failed to live up to expectations, with Ajax finishing third in the league and failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 14 years. The club has now set its sights on hiring a more seasoned tactician to lead the team.
Heitinga, a former Dutch international, had previously worked with the club’s reserves before stepping into the role of head coach. Although he managed to elevate the team’s position from fifth to third in the league, Ajax ultimately decided against extending his stay. However, there is a possibility that Heitinga will remain involved with the club in some capacity, as Ajax expressed a desire to contribute to his continued development.
Speaking about the decision, Ajax’s director of football, Sven Mislintat, acknowledged the difficulty in informing Heitinga of the club’s choice. He commended Heitinga for his dedication and thanked him for stepping in during a challenging period. Mislintat stressed the need for a more experienced head coach, as Ajax looks to regain its dominance in the league and secure future UCL qualifications.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
