Former Liverpool coach SACKED five months after leaving Premier League champions following shocking run of form

Former Liverpool assistant coach Johnny Heitinga has been sacked as Ajax head coach.

Heitinga, 41, was relieved of his managerial duties by the Dutch club after Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

It was their fourth defeat in Europe this season, leaving them bottom of the league phase, having failed to pick up a single point.

A club statement from Ajax read: 'Ajax has suspended John Heitinga with immediate effect. The head coach's contract was due to run until June 30, 2027, but will now be terminated.

'The same applies to assistant coach Marcel Keizer. Ajax is looking for a new head coach; in the meantime, Fred Grim will take over Heitinga's duties.'

Heitinga was appointed by Ajax in May, following the Dutchman's impressive stint serving as Arne Slot's No 2 at Liverpool throughout their Premier League-winning campaign.

But the former Everton defender has struggled with the step up to a head coach role, with Ajax also struggling domestically as well as in Europe.

The 36-time Eredivisie champions are currently fourth in the Dutch top flight, having drawn five and lost one of their opening 11 matches.

Heitinga is not the only key figure at Ajax heading for the exit door, with technical director Alex Kroes also submitting his resignation.

'It's a painful decision,' said Kroes. 'But looking back at the past few months, we must conclude that things have turned out quite differently from what we had envisioned.

'We've seen too little progress and have unnecessarily dropped points. We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes. We have given John that time, but we believe it's best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team.

'We hope to present a new head coach together as soon as possible. We thank John and Marcel for their efforts and wish Fred the best of luck, starting with Sunday's away match in Utrecht.'