The recent dismissal of John Heitinga by Ajax has sparked considerable speculation regarding his successor. Erik ten Hag is widely regarded as the leading candidate, although other names like Alex Pastoor and Frank de Boer have also been mentioned. Interestingly, during the SBS 6 program Nieuws van de Dag, a surprising candidate was proposed: Sarina Wiegman. Noa Vahle, a reporter for Nieuws van de Dag, elaborated on why Ten Hag is at the top of Ajax’s list. “He is the most logical choice as he is familiar with the club, and I believe he can extract slightly more from this squad than John Heitinga could. However, I don’t think he can lead the team to become champions, nor to a top-two or top-three finish this season.” Vahle also expressed skepticism about Mark van Bommel’s candidacy, stating, “That’s a bit too sensitive; he’s essentially a PSV man.” Panel guest Ronald Molendijk then introduced the unexpected suggestion of Sarina Wiegman, citing her impressive track record. However, Vahle promptly dismissed this idea, saying, “No, sorry. I am very much looking forward to 2025, but let’s be realistic… women’s football and men’s football are indeed two separate worlds. I don’t mean to imply that a woman can’t lead, but in this context, she cannot.” In conclusion, Ajax’s quest for a new head coach remains ongoing, with a strong preference for candidates familiar with the club’s dynamics. Post navigation Challenges at Ajax: The Need for Deeper Change Beyond Coaching Ajax Makes Coaching Changes Following Defeat to Galatasaray
