A former Netherlands international, Heitinga made more than 200 appearances with Ajax and won the Eredivisie title twice with the club as a player, between 2002 and 2004.

He also had spells as the reserve team coach and interim head coach with the Amsterdam giant, with the latter job coming between January and June 2023.

After his interim spell at Ajax, Heitinga joined West Ham United to assist David Moyes the next September before moving to Liverpool in July 2024 to work under Arne Slot.

The 41-year-old has now signed a two-year contract with Ajax, succeeding outgoing coach Francesco Farioli, who left last week after his only season in charge ended with a dramatic collapse.

Ajax was nine points clear at the top of the Eredivisie with seven games remaining, but ultimately finished a point behind eventual winner PSV.

Ajax has won the Dutch title a record 36 times but, after this season, it has now gone three straight years without a trophy.

Of the appointment, Ajax technical director Alex Kroes said: "John is a good coach with enormous drive.

"He is ambitious and has further developed himself over the past few years in the Premier League and [UEFA] Champions League.

"John knows the club well and we are convinced that he, together with [assistant] Marcel Keizer, will help improve our players and build on the progress made since last summer."