Overview
- Assistant coach Marcel Keizer also departs, with Ajax stating Heitinga’s contract, originally running to June 2027, will be terminated.
- Ajax’s European campaign stands at zero points with one goal scored and 14 conceded, capped by a 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray after losses to Chelsea, Marseille and Inter.
- Domestically, Ajax have five wins in 11 Eredivisie matches, sit fourth, and trail leaders by eight points; Heitinga recorded five wins in 15 games overall.
- Technical director Alex Kroes called the move a painful decision, offered to resign, and was urged to remain to oversee the search for a new head coach.
- Reports say former manager Erik ten Hag is a leading candidate and that talks have taken place, though no appointment has been made; caretaker Fred Grim leads the team at Utrecht on Sunday.