Liverpool are understood to have given permission for Ajax to speak to their coach.
Per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool FC have given Ajax Amsterdam permission to speak to John Heitinga as the Dutch giants seek to appoint their next head coach.
Of course, Heitinga started his coaching career at Ajax, after finishing his playing days at the club. He coached the U19s, before taking charge of Jong Ajax. In 2023, he became interim manager of the senior team. Ajax chose to appoint Maurice Steijn in the summer instead. So he moved on to become a first-team coach under David Moyes at West Ham United.
⚪️ EXCL: Liverpool gives permission to John Heitinga for talks with Ajax as negotiations to become the new head coach are advanced.
Liverpool have begun the process of looking at replacements if the Heitinga deal goes through, as looks likely. pic.twitter.com/erFHPx1vcj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 27, 2025
Of course, Heitinga was the man in the dugout for Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Newcastle on 26 February 2025, after both Arne Slot and Sipke Hulsoff were suspended in the fallout of an explosive Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Becoming a head coach is a big step for anyone in this line of work, especially when it’s a club like Ajax with whom Johnny has had deep history, so, naturally, Liverpool are stepping aside for him to pursue it.