Liverpool loanee could cost John Heitinga the axe at Ajax after disastrous 49-touch display

Add as preferred source on Google

John Heitinga is under immense pressure at Ajax after a Liverpool loanee cost the manager dearly in the 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutchman joined Arne Slot’s backroom staff at the start of last season to become the new assistant coach after following David Moyes out of the door at West Ham United.

Indeed, the arrival of an ex-Everton man at Anfield sparked concern, but Slot was adamant about appointing Heitinga, and the decision paid off tremendously as the pair delivered the Reds’ 20th league title last season.

However, similar to when Pep Ljinders left Merseyside to take up the managerial vacancy at RB Salzburg, Heitinga spent just one year with the Reds before returning to his former club Ajax for a second stint as manager after a brief interim spell in 2023.

He sought to bring two youth prospects from Anfield with him to Amsterdam, but now, with only six matches played in the Eredivisie, Heitinga is facing backlash from the fans, and one of his loanees should be held culpable.

Vitezslav Jaros lets John Heitinga down against PSV

Heitinga signed James McConnell and Vitezslav Jaros on season-long loan deals from Liverpool this summer, with the latter establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The 24-year-old penned a new long-term contract before moving to the Eredivisie. Slot is a huge admirer of the Czech shot-stopper and wanted the player to be a regular starter in the Netherlands and play Champions League football.

Jaros has managed to keep only two clean sheets in his opening seven outings for Ajax, and his display in the top-of-the-table clash against PSV on Sunday was his worst to date.

Peter Bosz identified a weakness in Jaros’ game and exploited it, as both of the hosts’ goals came via a deep cross into the box, and both times the goalkeeper was left scrambling on his line as Ismael Saibari and Yarek Gasiorowski converted.

With Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving at Anfield to compete alongside Alisson, it is difficult to envision where Jaros will fit into the equation when he returns from Ajax, but this loan spell provides the perfect opportunity to send a message to Slot.

He clearly left an impression on the Liverpool boss after his outings against Crystal Palace and Brighton last term. However, he has now conceded four goals in two matches against top-quality opposition in PSV and Inter Milan.

And his position as the first-choice goalkeeper may soon be under threat as the pressure continues to build on Heitinga’s tenure.

Dutch media are not pleased with John Heitinga

Although the 41-year-old remains unbeaten in the Eredivisie, disappointing draws against Volendam and Go Ahead Eagles leave his side four points adrift of league leaders Feyenoord.

Ajax podcaster Jan Verdonk said that the club’s decision to appoint Heitinga as Francesco Farioli’s successor has represented a significant downgrade.

ESPN journalist Thijs Zwagerman was left baffled by Heitinga’s comments ahead of Ajax’s 2-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League and criticised the boss for his communication skills.

It appears Heitinga is facing an uphill battle to overturn his fortunes in Amsterdam, and given the faith he has placed in Jaros throughout his short tenure, the Czech Republic international must find his feet and help the ex-Liverpool coach avoid what feels like an inevitable dismissal.