I advised John not to go to Ajax, says agent

JOHN Heitinga’s agent has revealed he initially advised his client against taking over as Ajax head coach.

- By THEO SQUIRES

Heitinga left his position as Liverpool assistant coach to return to his former club last week.

The ex-Everton defender enjoyed two separate stints as a player with Ajax, started his coaching career with the Dutch giants, and served as their interim manager for the second half of the 2022/23 season.

Ajax decided against hiring him permanently at the time, with Heitinga going on to join West Ham United as first-team coach under David Moyes, who managed him at Everton.

He then joined Liverpool as one of Arne Slot’s assistants last summer and helped the Reds win the Premier League title in his fellow Dutchman’s first season in charge.