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Former Everton footballer John Heitinga will be the coach of Ajax's first team until the end of the season, the club have officially confirmed.
Ajax have promoted their interim manager and former reserve team coach John Heitinga to the role of head coach until the end of the season.
The announcement was made by the club on Thursday, having served as interim coach for seven days, and following the dismissal of Alfred Schreuder.
‘Ajax and @JohnHeitinga have agreed on remaining head coach of Ajax 1 for the rest of the season. Let’s do this, John!’ a post read on Thursday via the club’s official social media page.
The 39-year-old Dutchman will take charge of the first team until at least the end of this season.
Over the weekend, he was able to help Ajax to an emphatic win against Excelsior, the first league victory since October and give a press conference in which he totally changed the discourse with respect to the much reproached attitude of his predecessor, Alfred Schreuder.
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John Heitinga Coaching Credentials
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Heitinga extended his contract with Ajax in November last year with his currnt contract set to expire in June 2025.
Since the summer of 2021, he has been the head coach of Ajax U23.
The ex-international followed the youth academy in Amsterdam and played seven seasons for the club.
Before he made his return to Ajax in 2015, Heitinga played for Atlético Madrid, Everton, Fulham, and Hertha BSC.
Following his retirement in 2016, Heitinga had several coaching positions within Ajax's youth academy.
In 2016/2017, he was assistant coach to Marcel Keizer at Ajax U23, and lead the best youth team, the current U18, between 2017 and 2021.
Ajax CEO Edwin Van der Sar has already expressed delight following his appointment.
"We are convinced that this is the right solution. John follows a careful and gradual path, which has allowed him to develop very well as a coach in recent years.
"Gerry Hamstra, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and I have had several conversations, of course, some also with John present.
"We have a lot of confidence in his qualities and in the vision he has," Van der Sar explained via the club’s official site.
To assist him in his duties, the club has also signed Dwight Lodeweges.
The 65-year-old veteran coach has been on the bench as head coach and assistant coach since 1989 for a host of teams including the Dutch national team.
Why Ajax hired Heitinga
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According to reports from the Dutch press, Van der Sar, the club's chief executive, has been singled out in recent days for his inability to find a definitive coach.
The reports stated that they had approached three coaches - including Croatia National team manager Zlatko Dalic, who was touted as the favorite, and former River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo, all of whom turned down the offer.
As such, Ajax did not want to extend the provisional nature of Heitinga's position.
Calvin Bassey expected to shine under new coach Heitinga
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The Super Eagles of Nigeria defender arrived the club last summer from Rangers for a then-club record fee of around £20 million and endured a mixed start to life under former coach Alfred Schreuder.
Although Bassey enjoyed game time, the 23-year-old Nigeria international has been the subject of occasional criticism over his performances for the Dutch giants.
The left-footed defender has featured 17 times, scoring a goal and registering two assists so far in the league this season.
However, Bassey was dropped in Ajax’s win against Excelsior over the weekend, coming on as a 79th minute substitute for Steven Berghuis.
He is expected to return to action for Ajax when they travel to play relegation-threatened Cambuur on Sunday February 9 in the Eredivisie.
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