Davy Klaassen ‘does not know’ whether Ajax will have to appoint a new head coach next season. The thirty-year-old midfielder says he gets on well with the current final responsible John Heitinga, but does not close his eyes to the sporting malaise in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. According to Klaassen, the decision about Heitinga’s future rests entirely with the management.
Ajax ended the season in a significant way on Sunday with a hopeless 3-1 defeat at FC Twente. As a result, Heitinga’s team has been sentenced to the (final preliminary round of the) Europa League next year. Klaassen was the first to appear in front of the cameras afterwards and was soon asked about Heitinga’s future. “Honestly, I have no idea either, man,” said the midfielder opposite ESPN. “So much has happened, so much has been going on this season, I think we have to let everything sink in first and then look at next season.”
Reporter Pascal Kamperman is not satisfied with that answer. “A decision about the new trainer must of course be taken quickly,” said Kamperman. “I think so,” Klaassen replies. “In four to five weeks we will start preparing again. Whether it is with this or a new trainer, you have to ask the directors. I don’t know what they think about it. I am very good with John, that is not an issue at all , but we do not determine that. I hope that there will be clarity soon, so that everyone knows where they stand next season. “
The lack of clarity about the head coach position ‘could be one of the causes’ of the disastrous season, Klaassen believes. “But there are so many things that did not go well. So much unrest within your club is not good, but previously there had also been unrest and we became champions. We as players, staff and as a team should not depend on that .”