John Heitinga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
John Heitinga

Heitinga as manager of Ajax in 2023
Personal information
Full name	John Gijsbert Alan Heitinga
Date of birth	(1983-11-15) 15 November 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth	Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Ajax (head coach)
Youth career
1987–1990	ARC
1990–2001	Ajax
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2008	Ajax	152	(17)
2008–2009	Atlético Madrid	28	(3)
2009–2014	Everton	115	(2)
2014	Fulham	14	(1)
2014–2015	Hertha BSC	13	(1)
2015–2016	Ajax	2	(0)
Total		324	(24)
International career
2004–2013	Netherlands	87	(7)
Managerial career
2021–2023	Jong Ajax
2023	Ajax
2025–	Ajax
Medal record Men's football Representing  Netherlands FIFA World Cup Runner-up 2010 South Africa UEFA European Championship Bronze 2004 Portugal UEFA European Under-16 Championship Bronze 2000 Israel U-16 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Gijsbert Alan "Johnny" Heitinga (born 15 November 1983) is a Dutch football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Eredivisie club Ajax.

Heitinga grew up in the Ajax Youth Academy. He played for Ajax's main team from 2001 to 2008. After playing for Atlético Madrid in Spain for a year, he joined Everton in England in 2009. He then played for Fulham for six months in 2014. Later that year, he signed with the German team Hertha BSC. In 2015, he returned to Ajax for one season before retiring in 2016.

Heitinga also played for the Netherlands national team. He made his debut in 2004 and played in over 85 international matches. He represented his country in two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and three European Championships (2004, 2008, and 2012). In 2008, he was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.

Playing Career Highlights

Heitinga (right, with Urby Emanuelson, Wesley Sneijder, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Zdeněk Grygera) played for Ajax from 2001 to 2008.

John Heitinga started his football journey at a young age. He became a well-known defender for several top clubs.

Time at Ajax

Heitinga joined the Ajax Youth Academy and worked his way up. He played his first game for the senior team on 26 August 2001. He was part of a talented group of young players at Ajax. This group included stars like Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder.

He quickly became a key player for Ajax. He was a first-choice defender under different coaches. However, he faced some serious knee injuries that kept him out of action for long periods. Despite these setbacks, he always made strong comebacks. When he left Ajax in 2008, fans showed their appreciation with a special display.

Heitinga (left) with Michael Owen.

Playing in Spain: Atlético Madrid

After leaving Ajax, Heitinga moved to Spain. He joined Atlético Madrid in 2008. He played 32 games for the club in his first season. He scored three goals during his time there.

Playing in England: Everton

In September 2009, Heitinga moved to England. He signed a five-year contract with Everton. He quickly became an important player for the team. He often played as a defensive midfielder. This showed his great spirit and ability to adapt to different roles.

In the 2010–11 season, Heitinga scored a penalty in a shootout against Chelsea. This helped Everton win the game. He scored his first goal for Everton later that season. In the 2011–12 season, Everton fans voted him their Player of the Season. He played very well as a central defender.

His playing time was less in the 2012–13 season. He decided not to sign a new contract with Everton. In January 2014, he moved to Fulham.

Short Spell at Fulham and Hertha BSC

Heitinga joined Fulham on a six-month deal in January 2014. He scored one goal for Fulham before leaving the club in May 2014. He then signed a two-year contract with the German club Hertha BSC in June 2014.

Return to Ajax and Retirement

On 25 June 2015, Heitinga returned to his first club, Ajax. He signed a one-year contract. However, he played only two league matches that season. On 1 February 2016, John Heitinga decided to retire from professional football.

International Career for the Netherlands

Heitinga playing for the Netherlands.

Heitinga played for the Dutch national youth teams before joining the senior team. He made his debut for the Netherlands on 18 February 2004. He quickly made a positive impression.

Euro 2004 Tournament

Heitinga was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal. He started as a right-back in the first two group matches. He was suspended for one game after receiving two yellow cards. He returned for the quarter-final against Sweden. He scored his penalty in the shootout, helping the Netherlands win. The team was later knocked out by Portugal in the semi-finals.

2006 World Cup

Despite some challenges at his club, Heitinga remained a key player for the national team. He was chosen for the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany. The Dutch team played well and reached the second round. They were again knocked out by Portugal.

Heitinga (right) and Wesley Sneijder have been close friends since boyhood.

Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup

Heitinga was also in the Dutch squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He became a regular player at right-back. He played his 50th game for the Netherlands in 2009.

He was a key player in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He started every game as the Netherlands reached the final. They played against Spain. Heitinga was sent off in the final after receiving a second yellow card. The Netherlands lost the final 1–0. He was the fifth player ever to be sent off in a World Cup final.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, John Heitinga moved into coaching.

Coaching at Ajax

In June 2021, Heitinga became the manager of Jong Ajax. This is the reserve team of Ajax. He signed a two-year contract and later extended it until 2025. On 27 January 2023, Heitinga was appointed interim manager of Ajax's first team. This happened after the previous manager was dismissed.

His first game in charge was a 4–1 win. Under his leadership, Ajax finished third in the Eredivisie. They also reached the final of the KNVB Cup, but lost on penalties. On 1 June 2023, it was announced that Heitinga would not continue as the main manager for Ajax.

Coaching in England and Return to Ajax

In September 2023, Heitinga joined West Ham United as a first-team coach. He worked as an assistant to David Moyes, who was his former manager at Everton. When Moyes left West Ham in May 2024, Heitinga also left the club.

On 17 July 2024, Heitinga was appointed as the new assistant coach at Liverpool. He took charge of Liverpool for the first time on 26 February 2025, in a 2–0 win against Newcastle United. This happened because the manager and other assistant were suspended. That season, Liverpool won the Premier League title.

On 31 May 2025, Heitinga agreed to return to his former club Ajax as head coach. He signed a two-year contract that will begin with the 2025–26 season.

Personal Life

Heitinga was born in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands. He grew up in Amsterdam. He has Indonesian family background.

Honours and Awards

Heitinga (left) with Jeffrey Bruma

John Heitinga won many awards and trophies during his career.

Club Trophies with Ajax

• Eredivisie (Dutch League): 2001–02, 2003–04
• KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup): 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07
• Johan Cruyff Shield (Dutch Super Cup): 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007

International Achievements with Netherlands

• FIFA World Cup: Runner-up in 2010

Individual Awards

• Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year: 2001
• Ajax Talent of the Future (Sjaak Swart Award): 2000–01
• Dutch Football Talent of the Year: 2003–04
• Dutch Footballer of the Year: 2007–08
• Everton Player of the Season: 2011–12

Images for kids

• 

  Heitinga in 2008 during training.

See also

In Spanish: John Heitinga para niños