Will an ex-Bundesliga coach take over?
After a sporting decline: Ajax fires coach
November 6, 2025 – 5:44 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Ajax Amsterdam is without a point in the Champions League. There is also a risk of losing contact with the top in the league. Now the club is drawing conclusions.
After a sustained series of poor results, Ajax Amsterdam have relieved coach John Heitinga of his duties. The Dutch club is reacting to the sporting decline that has recently become clear both on the international stage and in the Eredivisie.
Technical director Alex Kroes spoke of a “painful decision”, especially since ex-national player Heitinga had also been active for the club as a professional. “We know that it takes time for a new coach to be able to work with a team that has gone through changes,” said Kroes: “We have given John this time, but we believe that it is best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team.”
In the Champions League, Ajax suffered four defeats in a row, with a goal difference of 1:14. Most recently, the Amsterdam team lost 3-0 in their home stadium Galatasaray Istanbul on Wednesday evening. After the fourth matchday, the team is in last place in the league phase.
Ajax is also lagging behind its own standards at the national level. The club is currently in fourth place in the Eredivisie, already eight points behind top teams Feyenoord Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven.
Heitinga only took over Ajax in the summer. His contract was originally dated until the summer of 2027. Despite the long-term planning, those responsible have now decided to cut personnel. Fred Grim will lead the team’s training for an interim period. Erik ten Hag, who was recently fired from Bayer Leverkusen after just two match days, is being discussed as a possible successor.