John Heitinga sacked by Ajax and opens door for potential Liverpool return

It’s by no means simple watching one in every of our personal battle elsewhere, and the information from Amsterdam will depart a lot round Anfield feeling dissatisfied.

Ajax have confirmed that John Heitinga has been sacked with instant impact, ending a turbulent tenure for the previous Liverpool assistant.

The Dutch aspect launched a press release on their official web site on Thursday confirming the 41-year-old’s exit, with technical director Alex Kroes additionally providing to step apart within the wake of rising unrest.

Ajax sack John Heitinga after “too little progress”

Ajax’s assertion learn: “Ajax has suspended John Heitinga with instant impact. The top coach’s contract was as a result of run till June 30, 2027, however will now be terminated.

“The identical applies to assistant coach Marcel Keizer. Ajax is in search of a brand new head coach; within the meantime, Fred Grim will take over Heitinga’s duties.”

Kroes added: “It’s a painful determination. However wanting again on the previous few months, we should conclude that issues have turned out fairly in another way from what we had envisioned.

“We’ve seen too little progress and have unnecessarily dropped factors.”

The membership’s technical director has since provided to step down, although Ajax’s board have urged him to remain for continuity.

For us, the event comes simply weeks after Heitinga was underneath stress over James McConnell’s shock mortgage transfer to Ajax, with reviews suggesting the choice divided the membership’s hierarchy.

Might Heitinga return to Liverpool in future?

Heitinga’s Anfield hyperlink has by no means been forgotten. He spent final season working underneath Arne Slot throughout our title-winning marketing campaign, earlier than taking the Ajax job final summer time.

When he landed that function, he spoke warmly concerning the time he spent alongside our head coach and the teachings realized from English soccer.

It’s not unattainable to think about the Dutchman probably returning to Merseyside sooner or later.

In spite of everything, Pep Lijnders as soon as left Klopp’s teaching workers to attempt administration himself, earlier than coming again to be assistant once more.

Heitinga’s tactical nous, English expertise and familiarity with our setup imply that – if timing and alternative align – a reunion may make sense for either side.

For now, although, his focus will likely be on rebuilding his repute.

And whereas Ajax seek for one more new head coach, we will mirror on how one in every of our former colleagues finds himself out of labor – however maybe not out of possibilities.

You possibly can watch Slot’s post-match press convention through Empire of the Kop on YouTube:

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