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Ajax Fires Heitinga After Disastrous Champions League Run

11/7/2025

28 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

John Heitinga, head coach of Ajax, was sacked after a run that included a 3-0 loss to Galatasaray in Champions League.
His contract, set to run until June 2027, will be terminated immediately.
Marcel Keizer, Ajax assistant coach, will be dismissed.
Fred Grim, Ajax interim manager, will take over.
Ajax sits fourth in the Eredivisie and is last in their Champions League group with no points from four matches.

History

Historical Context

Ajax, a historic Dutch football club founded in 1900, has won 36 Eredivisie titles and four Champions League trophies. However, following John Heitinga's dismissal in 2023 after a 3-0 loss to Galatasaray, the club's struggles became evident, as they sat fourth in the Eredivisie and last in their Champions League group, marking a significant decline from their previous European dominance.

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Story summary

John Heitinga, head coach of Ajax, was sacked after a run that included a 3-0 loss to Galatasaray in Champions League.
His contract, set to run until June 2027, will be terminated immediately.
Marcel Keizer, Ajax assistant coach, will be dismissed.
Fred Grim, Ajax interim manager, will take over.
Ajax sits fourth in the Eredivisie and is last in their Champions League group with no points from four matches.

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