Rafael van der Vaart thinks that John Heitinga will immediately change the status of Dusan Tadic at Ajax. The analyst of Ziggo Sports believes that Heitinga, who was appointed interim coach of Ajax on Friday, will refer Tadic directly to the bench on a visit to Excelsior on Sunday. “I really think he’s going to throw him out,” said Van der Vaart.
Ajax played a very disappointing draw against FC Volendam (1-1) at home on Thursday. Immediately afterwards, Alfred Schreuder was fired. A few hours later, Heitinga moved from Jong Ajax to the first team. “A very tough job for Heitinga? It couldn’t be worse. I think this is the ideal time,” says Van der Vaart.
John Heitinga or Fred Grim? ?? And does a new trainer dare to put Dušan Tadic on the bench? ??#ZiggoSport #Ajax pic.twitter.com/KZPhTm5vPN
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) January 28, 2023
Tadic enjoyed an almost untouchable status under Schreuder. The captain of Ajax indicated on Thursday after the duel with Volendam that he was playing ‘poorly’ at the moment, but was not changed once in 2023. According to Van der Vaart, Heitinga must intervene immediately. “I think he knows very well that it is a very difficult decision, but that you win ninety percent of the selection for you.”
“It’s a pity for Tadic, who has of course done a lot for Ajax,” emphasizes Van der Vaart. “But yes, if you don’t show it anymore, then you just have to settle for a place on the bench. It’s a bit the same as with Daley Blind, who couldn’t.” The conflict between Blind and Schreuder escalated around the World Cup, after which the former saw his contract terminated at Ajax. Then he moved to Bayern Munich.
Heitinga starts his first coaching job at the highest level. It is a strange sensation for his former teammate Van der Vaart. “The nice thing is: if you’ve been in the dressing room together for so long, you don’t see someone as a trainer,” says the former midfielder. “Then you see him very differently. To me it’s just Johnny, who I had fun with, played clover jackets. I ran into him the other day, we got to talking. you. It makes me itch,” he winks. “But he seems to be doing really well. There is a lot of confidence from the club. They don’t just push him forward.”