Ajax Amsterdam — one of the most famous soccer clubs in the world — is known for its attacking football, clever tactics, and long history of producing top talents like Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, and Frenkie de Jong. But lately, things at the club haven’t been going so well, and fans are starting to lose patience.
Even though Ajax haven’t lost a single game in the Eredivisie this season — only Feyenoord share that record — the supporters are unhappy. They believe that the team’s current manager, John Heitinga, isn’t getting the best out of his players. Many fans are now asking the club’s board to remove him during the international break.
Let’s break down why this situation has become so tense, what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the club’s legendary reputation feels at risk.
Who Is John Heitinga?
John Heitinga, 41, is not a random coach — he’s actually a former Ajax player who grew up in the club’s academy, known as “De Toekomst”, which means “The Future” in Dutch. Ajax’s academy is world-famous for creating brilliant soccer players. Stars like Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, and Donny van de Beek all came through the same system.
Heitinga played as a defender for Ajax before moving to big European clubs like Atlético Madrid, Everton, and Fulham. He even played for the Netherlands national team, reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against Spain.
After his playing career, he went into coaching. He spent time in the English Premier League, working as an assistant under David Moyes at West Ham, and later joined Arne Slot’s staff at Liverpool during their title-winning campaign. On paper, that sounds impressive — so why are fans upset?
Why Fans Are Unhappy
Even though Ajax’s results don’t look terrible — 4 wins and 4 draws in their first 8 league games — the style of play has been disappointing. Ajax are famous for their “Total Football” philosophy — fast, skillful, and intelligent play where every player moves fluidly, creating beautiful attacking football.
But under Heitinga, many fans say the team looks lost, slow, and poorly organized.
Paul Winters, a Dutch soccer journalist and lifelong Ajax fan, said it clearly:
“I’m an Ajax fan, and they are very poor this season. They look lost, no plan, no direction — it’s awful. People are begging for Heitinga to be fired.”
That’s a strong statement. But it’s also how a lot of fans feel right now. Ajax supporters are used to seeing their team dominate opponents, not just win games. For them, how Ajax win is just as important as the result itself.
Sloppy Defending and Poor Finishing
One of the main problems is defense. Ajax have been giving away silly goals, especially from set pieces like corners and free kicks. In soccer, strong teams usually win by being organized at the back — think of clubs like Manchester City or Real Madrid. Ajax, however, are doing the opposite right now.
In their last 10 matches in all competitions, they’ve scored 17 goals but conceded 16. That’s almost one goal allowed per game, which is not good enough for a top club.
To make matters worse, Ajax’s forwards have been struggling to score easy chances. Their shots are often off-target, and they seem to lack confidence in front of goal.
In their recent Eredivisie match against Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax were down 3–1 and had to fight hard just to draw 3–3. For a club that once defeated Real Madrid and Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, that kind of performance feels embarrassing.
Last Season’s Collapse
Part of the frustration comes from how the previous season ended. Under former manager Francesco Farioli, Ajax were leading the league by nine points with just seven games left. Fans were already celebrating early — but then came a total meltdown.
Ajax lost crucial games, dropped points, and ended up losing the title to PSV Eindhoven by just one point. That collapse still hurts supporters today.
Even though Farioli’s record wasn’t bad (35 wins in 54 games with 102 goals scored), there were serious disagreements behind the scenes about transfers, tactics, and coaching style. The Ajax board decided to part ways with him.
So when Heitinga took over, people hoped for a fresh start — a return to attacking, creative football. But instead, they feel like things have actually gotten worse.
Fans Are Losing Patience
Ajax fans are some of the most passionate in Europe. Every week, thousands fill the Johan Cruyff Arena wearing the club’s red and white colors. They expect not just wins, but entertainment — quick passes, clever dribbles, and goals galore.
But what they’ve seen lately is disappointing. Their 4–0 loss to Marseille in the UEFA Champions League was painful to watch. Even though Marseille are a strong team, Ajax looked weak and disorganized. That came right after a 2–0 defeat to Inter Milan, leaving Ajax sitting 35th out of 36 teams in the current Champions League standings — only above Kairat, who have conceded more goals.
That kind of performance doesn’t match Ajax’s proud European history. This is a club that has won four Champions League titles and changed the way soccer is played. Seeing them perform like a mid-table team hurts their fans deeply.
The Bigger Picture: Total Football Lost?
Ajax were once the birthplace of Total Football, a tactical system where every player could play every position. It was invented by legendary coach Rinus Michels and perfected by Johan Cruyff in the 1970s. The style inspired Pep Guardiola’s modern tactics at Barcelona and Manchester City.
Today, however, fans feel like Ajax have forgotten that identity. The team no longer controls games with smooth passing or smart positioning. Instead, they rely on individual effort and defensive scrambles.
It’s almost like watching a different club altogether.
What the Numbers Say
Let’s look at the numbers:
Games Played: 10
Wins: 4
Draws: 4
Losses: 2
Goals Scored: 17
Goals Conceded: 16
Win Percentage: 40%
Time for the Board to Act?
Now that the international break has arrived, many believe it’s the perfect time for Ajax to make a change. If they wait too long, the season could slip away — again.
Heitinga himself doesn’t seem worried. After the Marseille loss, he said:
“Listen, the fans are disappointed, we’re disappointed, but we’re a team in construction. Eventually, I know we’ll get it right. Am I worried about my position? No.”
But the fans are not convinced. They’ve seen this story before, and they don’t want to go through another season of “rebuilding.” They want results and beautiful football.
Final Thoughts: Can Ajax Return to Glory?
Ajax’s problems aren’t just about one coach — they’re about identity. The team has all the resources, talent, and history to compete with Europe’s best, but without direction, even great players can look average.
Whether the board decides to keep John Heitinga or not, one thing is clear: the fans want their Ajax back — the team that plays with pride, creativity, and joy.
Until then, the chants at the Johan Cruyff Arena will grow louder, calling for change and reminding everyone that at Ajax, it’s never just about winning — it’s about winning beautifully.
Soccer Facts & Combo Insights:
Ajax have produced over 75 players who went on to play for the Dutch national team.
Their average age this season is just 23.4 years — one of the youngest squads in Europe.
The club still holds the Eredivisie record for most goals scored in a single season (122).
Fans often compare style to that of Manchester City, both inspired by Johan Cruyff’s legacy.
A combo stat for betting fans: matches have seen Over 2.5 Goals in 70% of their last 10 games, making them exciting — even when they struggle!