Ajax announced on Saturday that they have appointed John Heitinga as first-team coach. The two sides have signed a two-year contract, valid until June 30, 2027.

The 41-year-old John Heitinga is a product of Ajax's youth training and played for the Red and White Army for eight years during his playing career. After retiring, he returned to Ajax to work in youth training and has served as an assistant coach for West Ham United and Liverpool's first teams in the Premier League in the past two seasons.

Regarding Heitinga's arrival, Ajax technical director Alex Kroos commented: "John is an excellent and highly motivated coach. He is ambitious and has continued to grow on the Premier League and Champions League stage in the past few years. Marcin Boyk (Ajax sports director) and I communicated with him last year and have kept in touch since then."

“John knows the club very well. We are confident that he and Marcel Keizer (assistant first team coach) will work together to improve player performance and build on the progress made since last summer, including the elite sporting culture and discipline. We are delighted that they have been appointed to take over the team at the beginning of the summer break. Makin and I will work with John and other stakeholders to develop a squad plan for next season.”

Heitinga said: "I am very much looking forward to starting a new journey. The past few years in England have been very beneficial for me. I have had the opportunity to continue to grow alongside David Moyes and Arne Sloter, while also gaining an in-depth understanding of the operations of two top clubs. I am ready to continue as a head coach and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to coach Ajax."