Liverpool assistant Johnny Heitinga has left the club to become the new Ajax manager.

Arne Slot's right-hand man was given permission to talk to the Eredivisie giants earlier in the week and has now been confirmed as their new boss.

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Heitinga has spent one year at LiverpoolCredit: Getty

"John is a good coach with enormous drive," said Ajax technical director Alex Kroes.

Liverpool latest: Slot assistant Heitinga leaves to take charge of Ajax	John Heitinga leaves Liverpool to take charge of Ajax as Reds eye new assistant boss	Liverpool line up former 71-goal forward to replace John Heitinga as Arne Slot’s assistant

"He is ambitious and has further developed himself over the past few years in the Premier League and Champions League.

"John knows the club well and we are convinced that he, together with Marcel, will help improve our players and build on the progress made since last summer."

"I am incredibly excited to start," added Heitinga.

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"The last years in England have done me a lot of good.

I'm ready to continue as a head coach and I'm honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax."

The Reds are already searching for the Dutchman's replacement.

Former Everton defender Heitinga crossed the divide to join Liverpool in July when Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp.

He played a key role in Slot's backroom staff, bringing vital Premier League experience.

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Speaking about Heitinga during the season, Slot said: "One of the reasons why we work together is because we have so much in common, if it’s about playing style, game model or the changes we make during the game.

"He is now here with me and I couldn’t have wished for more.

Very, if I say, talented, I do not even rate him high enough because he’s more than that already, he’s been a head coach himself but he’s still young.

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Slot won the Premier League title in his first season at LiverpoolCredit: Getty

"He grew into our staff from the start in a very good manner.

"All the things we do, we do together."

And after rumours began about Heitinga being approached for the Ajax job, Slot commented on the potential move.

He said: "If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him.

"If John is smart, he would stay one more season."

Liverpool cruised to the Premier League title this season, wrapping things up in April with a number of games to go.

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Ten Hag was a candidate to return to Ajax, but chose LeverkusenCredit: Getty

But now, despite Slot saying it wouldn't be a smart move, ex-Ajax defender Heitinga is set to return to his former club.

Ajax are searching for a new manager after one of the worst title collapses of all time.

Francesco Farioli saw his side squander a nine-point lead with just five games to go as PSV Eindhoven pipped them to the title.

Days after the season ended, Farioli quit as manager, leaving the Dutch giants searching for a replacement.

Erik ten Hag was a leading contender to return to Amsterdam before he chose Bayer Leverkusen.

Heitinga already has experience in the Ajax dugout, having managed them for six months in the second half of the 2022-23 campaign.

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The club finished third in the league and lost to PSV in the KNVB Cup, he won 14 of his 22 games in charge.

He then joined David Moyes' coaching staff at West Ham for the 2023-24 season before joining Slot at Anfield last summer.

Despite winning the Premier League title last summer, there looks set to be changes on and off the pitch.

While Heitinga is set to go, transfer chief Michael Edwards has been approached by Al Hilal.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid on a free transfer, with Darwin Nunez also likely to leave.

The Reds are leading the race for Florian Wirtz and the signing of Jeremy Frimpong is set to be confirmed.


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