Liverpool staff Regret as John Heitinga Returns to Ajax
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Liverpool Football Club experienced a sense of disappointment following the departure of assistant coach john Heitinga, who recently accepted the head coaching position at Ajax Amsterdam. While the move fulfills Heitinga’s long-term ambitions, sources within Anfield confirm his contributions were highly valued by players and staff alike.
Heitinga, 41, rejoined the Premier League in 2023 after a six-month interim spell managing Ajax, initially serving as an assistant to David Moyes at West Ham United before transitioning to Arne Slot’s staff at liverpool. His return to Amsterdam marks the culmination of his desire to lead a team, yet his exit leaves a void at Liverpool, were he quickly became an integral part of the coaching setup.
According to James Pearce of The Athletic, the atmosphere surrounding Heitinga’s departure was “sad.” Players and staff recognized his importance to the club, acknowledging his impact both on the training ground and in tactical analysis. Despite understanding his aspirations, liverpool were demonstrably pleased with the former footballer’s work.
Notably, Heitinga played a key mentoring role with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, guiding him in the nuances of the No. 6 position. Pearce reported that gravenberch specifically highlighted Heitinga’s influence in his progress of tactical understanding.Following Heitinga’s move, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has stepped in to continue this individualized coaching, maintaining the existing structural framework of the Liverpool staff.
