Liverpool have confirmed that assistant manager John Heitinga has left the club to take over as head coach of Eredivisie giants Ajax.
The 41-year-old returns to Amsterdam following a spell as Ajax's caretaker boss in the second half of the 2022-23 season, which preceded a move to West Ham United for the 2023-24 campaign.
After serving as David Moyes's assistant for one year, Heitinga became Arne Slot's right-hand man at Liverpool, helping the Reds secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
At the same time, Ajax agonisingly missed out on the Eredivisie crown - finishing one point behind champions PSV Eindhoven - and Francesco Farioli departed the club in the wake of their runners-up placement.
Heitinga quickly became a leading candidate to take charge of the Dutch titans, and his appointment has now been confirmed, as Liverpool released a short statement on Saturday announcing his exit.
Liverpool confirm Heitinga exit in short statement
© Imago
"Liverpool FC can confirm John Heitinga is to depart the club to take up the role of Ajax head coach," the Reds said. "The 41-year-old leaves the Reds after one season in the backroom team, operating as assistant coach to Arne Slot.
"He now assumes a position in charge of former club Ajax in his native Netherlands. John leaves with our gratitude and appreciation for his role in our 2024-25 Premier League title win."
Heitinga held numerous coaching positions with Ajax after retiring as a player at the club in 2016, managing various youth teams before a six-month stint as interim manager of the first team in 2023.
The 41-year-old was under contract at Anfield for another two seasons, but he was keen to launch his own career as a head coach and could not pass up the opportunity to return to his homeland.
In his first interview with the Ajax website, Heitinga name-checked both Moyes and Slot as two key influences in his embryonic coaching career so far, saying: "I am incredibly excited to start.
Heitinga "honoured" to rejoin Ajax as Liverpool exit confirmed
Ajax has reached an agreement with John Heitinga regarding the coach's move to Amsterdam. Heitinga is signing a contract with Ajax as head coach until June 30, 2027 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/FD24kaFsWC
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 31, 2025
"The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I've been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at two major clubs. I'm ready to continue as a head coach and I'm honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax."
Technical Director Alex Kroes added: "John is a good coach with enormous drive. He is ambitious and has further developed himself over the past few years in the Premier League and the Champions League. Marijn [Beuker, sporting director] and I spoke to him last year and have stayed in contact since.
"John knows the club well, and we are convinced that he, together with Marcel, will help improve our players and build on the progress made since last summer in terms of, for example, elite sporting culture and discipline.
"It's good that it's decided early on in the summer break that they will be in charge from the end of June. Marijn and I can now continue working with John and the other parties involved on the squad composition for the coming season."
As a player, Heitinga won all nine of his major honours with Ajax, collecting two Eredivisie titles, three KNVB-Beker crowns and four Dutch Super Cups in Amsterdam.
The Athletic reports that Liverpool are already searching for a replacement for the 2010 World Cup finalist, although Slot still has fellow assistant Sipke Hulshoff by his side.
Ben Knapton
