13 april 2022 – Due to the imminent departure of Erik ten Hag, Ajax seems to have to look for a new head coach for next season. Various options have already been reviewed, such as Peter Bosz and Johnny Heitinga, but the latter option would not be a good choice, according to Simon Cziommer. At the table with football talkhe advises Heitinga to take a small step first.
“I wouldn’t mind at all if he takes an intermediate step first,” Cziommer begins. “I think it’s all very early. Of course he is a young guy with some experience at Young Ajax, but it is very early to directly lead the great Ajax.” He is also supported by Yordi Yamali, who learns lessons from the past.
“It’s better to build your playing style elsewhere and work in the shadows. Those who are always pushed forward quite blankly have won a prize here and there, but in the long run it often works less well. It would be good for Heitinga to develop further with a step to Go Ahead, for example, only then can Ajax say that they have seen it both ways.”
Kees Kwakman thinks that Ajax can make that decision better than the trainer of Jong Ajax himself. “That is quite difficult for Heitinga, because of course he does not know whether that opportunity will present itself again. Like Van Nistelrooy now, I understand that you say: God bless the grip, I’ll just do it. It would make sense to make a small step from the Kitchen Champion Division to the Eredivisie.”
