John Heitinga prepares with Ajax U18 for the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. The 36-year-old former defender is now mainly regarded as a trainer, but just like his talents, he wants to make the switch to Ajax 1 in the long run.
Heitinga likes to help top talents on their way to a breakthrough, he says The Telegraph. “We continue to select around the winter break, so if players are ready to make the step to ‘paid’, then that will happen. The result is that at the end of the season – when the prices are divided – you will have an average younger team plays than the competition. I therefore dare to say that Ajax still has the best education in the Netherlands. “
Ultimately, Heitinga himself also wants to be at the helm of an Eredivisie club as head coach. “I do not adhere to a term or fixed trajectory. One day I hope to become the head coach of Ajax 1. That has to do with timing and the possibilities. It is the people at the top who have to make the choice. They are very satisfied with me now. there is no place for the youth and for paid. “
“At the same time, this Youth League is also great for my development as a trainer”, Ajax’s former crowd favorite continues. “I am ultimately responsible and, in addition to the team, I also have to manage a coaching staff of fourteen men. How educational is that not in the process of ever becoming head coach?”
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