“Feyenoord is the favourite,” says Ajax coach John Heitinga without hesitation at the digital press conference prior to the semi-final of the KNVB Cup against the Rotterdam rival. According to Heitinga, this is the reality Ajax finds itself in. “Feyenoord plays at home. They impress nationally and internationally.”
On the eve of the squatter against Feyenoord, Heitinga says that things are still not going well within the club. “You feel the unrest within the club,” said Heitinga. “When the club came to me to assist Alfred Schreuder, I initially said no because I already felt the unrest. Then I listened to the technical story and decided to help my club. “
“The fact that we have not yet won a top competition this season indicates how this year is going for us”
The 39-year-old Heitinga started with seven Eredivisie victories in a row, but then things fell apart. In addition, Feyenoord lost in a competition at home (2-3), which means that the team from Rotterdam is heading for the national title. “The fact that we have not yet won a top competition this season indicates how this year is going for us.”
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Whether Heitinga will still be Ajax’s trainer next season is still the question. With the lack of a technical director, it is difficult to make a decision about the future of the 87-time international. “The picture has to be right. The fact is that we are less than in recent years,” says a critical Heitinga. “I would like to remain head coach of Ajax, but you also look at the risk of failure. What will it look like? I don’t have much influence on what happens above me. And I assume that they will make the right decisions there.”
The duel between Feyenoord and Ajax can be followed live tomorrow evening via an extra radio broadcast from NH Sport. The preview starts at 7 p.m. and the kick-off is an hour later in De Kuip.