Speculation Surrounds Ajax’s Next Coach Following Heitinga’s Departure

The recent departure of John Heitinga from Ajax has sparked considerable speculation regarding his successor. Erik ten Hag is widely regarded as the leading candidate, while other names such as Alex Pastoor and Frank de Boer have also emerged in discussions. Interestingly, a surprising suggestion was made during the SBS 6 program “Nieuws van de Dag”—that of Sarina Wiegman.

Noa Vahle, a reporter on the show, articulated why Ten Hag is the preferred choice for Ajax. “He is the most logical candidate, as he is familiar with the club and has the potential to extract slightly more from the current squad than John Heitinga could. However, it’s important to note that I don’t think he can lead them to a championship, nor to a top-two or top-three finish.”

Vahle also indicated that Mark van Bommel’s name is likely to be ruled out, stating, “That’s a sensitive issue; he is truly a PSV man.” Subsequently, panelist Ronald Molendijk proposed Sarina Wiegman as a potential candidate, citing her impressive track record wherever she has coached. However, Vahle promptly dismissed this idea, stating, “No, I’m sorry. I want to be very involved in 2025, but let’s be honest—the women’s football and men’s football are completely separate worlds. I don’t mean to imply that a woman cannot lead, but she is not the right fit for this role.”