Ajax confirm Heitinga will remain as coach for the rest of the season
Ajax confirm John Heitinga will remain as manager for the rest of the season, after the former Dutch international snapped a seven-match winless streak in his first game in charge following the sacking of Alfred Schreuder
- Alfred Schreuder was sacked last week after a woeful 1-1 draw with FC Volendam
- John Heitinga has been given the role of manager until the end of the season
- He stepped in at the weekend in which Ajax were able to stop their winless rut
Ajax have confirmed that John Heitinga will remain as manager until the end of the season.
The former Dutch international helped the Eredivisie giants snap a seven-game winless streak in his first match in charge, following the sacking of Alfred Schreuder.
Heitinga, who made over 200 appearances for Ajax between 2001 and 2008, will be tasked with getting the side back into contention for the title – given that they are five points off leaders Feyenoord.
John Heitinga is set to remain as Ajax manager for the rest of the 2022-23 season
Heitinga took his first game in temporary charge in a 4-1 victory over Excelsior on Sunday
Dwight Lodeweges, who was assistant at rivals PSV Eindhoven over a decade ago, has also now been appointed in the same role at Ajax.
Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar told the club’s official website: ‘We are convinced that this is the right solution. John is on a clear and steady path, which has resulted in him developing himself very well over the years.
‘Gerry Hamstra, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and I have had multiple conversations, and we obviously held some with John.
‘We feel confident about John’s qualities and the vision he has. While looking for additions to the technical staff, we unanimously agreed on Dwight Lodeweges.
‘His knowledge and extensive coaching experience work complementary to John and the rest of the staff. The team now has to win, work on their confidence, and develop themselves further. We still have a lot to fight for this season.’
Schreuder was sacked as Ajax manager immediately following their woeful 1-1 draw with FC Volendam last Thursday.
Up until that point, the Dutch giants had won only two games since November 1, and a late equaliser from Ghana star Mohammed Kudus spared their blushes against Volendam.
Schreuder had struggled since taking over from current Man United boss Erik ten Hag, and had faced a reporting dressing room revolt from his players.
Alfred Schreuder was sacked last week after the Dutch side went on a seven-game winless run
There was a big step-up in performance when Heitinga, who had been Ajax’s U23 head coach, took to the dug-out for their clash with Excelsior on Sunday.
Ajax thrashed their opponents 4-1, with goals from Dusan Tadic, Davy Klaassen, Kudus and Devyne Rensch.
Though Ajax were knocked out of the Champions League under Schreuder, they are in contention for the Europa League as well as the Dutch cup.
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