- John Heitinga is in advanced talks to take over as Ajax head coach following Francesco Farioli’s resignation
- Liverpool have granted Heitinga permission to negotiate with his boyhood club
- The former Dutch international already coached Ajax’s first team during the 2022/23 season
Key Takeaways:
Arne Slot is on the verge of losing one of his trusted staff members at Liverpool. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, John Heitinga is in advanced talks to take over the helm at Ajax. The Amsterdam club’s collapse in the final month of the Eredivisie title race led to the resignation of Francesco Farioli after just one season in charge.
🚨🔴⚪️ 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
The Merseyside club have allowed the former centre-back to negotiate with Ajax, a team he already managed in the second half of the 2022/23 season. Liverpool are now actively searching for his replacement.
A product of Ajax’s famed academy, Heitinga played for the Amsterdam giants until 2008 before donning the shirts of Atletico Madrid, Everton, Fulham, and Hertha Berlin. The former Dutch international ended his playing career at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the 2015/16 season.
After taking his first coaching steps in the Ajax academy, Heitinga was promoted to the first team in 2022/23. Last summer, he became part of Arne Slot’s backroom staff at Liverpool.