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John Heitinga

Updated: Wikipedia source

John Heitinga

John Gijsbert Alan Heitinga (born 15 November 1983) is a Dutch football coach and former player who was most recently the head coach of Eredivisie club Ajax. A product of the Ajax Academy, he played for their first squad from 2001 to 2008. After a one-year spell at Atlético Madrid in Spain, he signed for Everton in 2009. Joining Fulham for six months in January 2014, he then signed with German side Hertha BSC the following summer, signing a two-year deal with the Berlin-based club. In June 2015, he returned to his boyhood club Ajax for a single season before retiring in 2016. After making his debut for the Netherlands national team in February 2004, Heitinga earned over 85 caps and represented his country at two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and three European Championships (2004, 2008, and 2012). In 2008, he was named Dutch Footballer of the Year.

Infobox

2014
Fulham
2023
Ajax (Interim)
2025
Ajax
Full name
John Gijsbert Alan Heitinga
Date of birth
(1983-11-15) 15 November 1983 (age 42)
Place of birth
Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Height
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position
Centre-back
1987–1990
ARC
1990–2001
Ajax
Years
Team
2001–2008
Ajax
2008–2009
Atlético Madrid
2009–2014
Everton
2014–2015
Hertha BSC
2015–2016
Ajax
2004–2013
Netherlands
2021–2023
Jong Ajax
2024–2025
Liverpool (assistant coach)

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[48][citation needed] · Career statistics › Club
Division
Division
Club
Division
Season
Apps
League
Goals
League
Apps
League
Goals
National cup
Apps
National cup
Goals
League cup
Apps
League cup
Goals
Continental
Apps
Continental
Goals
Other
Apps
Other
Goals
Ajax
Ajax
Club
Ajax
Season
2001–02
League
Eredivisie
League
15
League
0
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
3
Continental
0
Continental
—
Other
19
Other
0
2002–03
2002–03
Club
2002–03
Season
Eredivisie
League
1
League
0
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
0
League cup
0
Continental
0
Continental
0
Other
1
Other
0
2003–04
2003–04
Club
2003–04
Season
Eredivisie
League
26
League
3
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
3
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
30
Other
3
2004–05
2004–05
Club
2004–05
Season
Eredivisie
League
26
League
1
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
6
League cup
0
Continental
1
Continental
0
Other
36
Other
1
2005–06
2005–06
Club
2005–06
Season
Eredivisie
League
19
League
1
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
6
League cup
0
Continental
5
Continental
1
Other
33
Other
2
2006–07
2006–07
Club
2006–07
Season
Eredivisie
League
32
League
6
League
5
National cup
1
National cup
—
League cup
9
League cup
1
Continental
5
Continental
1
Other
51
Other
9
2007–08
2007–08
Club
2007–08
Season
Eredivisie
League
33
League
6
League
3
National cup
2
National cup
—
League cup
4
League cup
0
Continental
5
Continental
1
Other
45
Other
9
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
152
League
17
League
16
League
3
National cup
—
National cup
31
League cup
1
League cup
16
Continental
3
Continental
215
Other
24
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid
Club
Atlético Madrid
Season
2008–09
League
La Liga
League
27
League
3
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
6
Continental
0
Continental
—
Other
34
Other
3
2009–10
2009–10
Club
2009–10
Season
La Liga
League
1
League
0
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
2
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
3
Other
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
28
League
3
League
1
League
0
National cup
—
National cup
8
League cup
0
League cup
—
Continental
37
Continental
3
Everton
Everton
Club
Everton
Season
2009–10
League
Premier League
League
31
League
0
National cup
2
National cup
0
League cup
2
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
—
Other
35
Other
0
2010–11
2010–11
Club
2010–11
Season
Premier League
League
27
League
1
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
1
League cup
0
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
31
Other
1
2011–12
2011–12
Club
2011–12
Season
Premier League
League
30
League
1
League
6
National cup
1
National cup
3
League cup
0
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
39
Other
2
2012–13
2012–13
Club
2012–13
Season
Premier League
League
26
League
0
League
2
National cup
1
National cup
2
League cup
0
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
30
Other
1
2013–14
2013–14
Club
2013–14
Season
Premier League
League
1
League
0
League
2
National cup
1
National cup
2
League cup
0
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
5
Other
1
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
115
League
2
League
15
League
3
National cup
10
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
140
Continental
5
Fulham
Fulham
Club
Fulham
Season
2013–14
League
Premier League
League
14
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
—
Other
14
Other
1
Hertha BSC
Hertha BSC
Club
Hertha BSC
Season
2014–15
League
Bundesliga
League
13
League
1
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Continental
—
Continental
14
Other
1
Ajax
Ajax
Club
Ajax
Season
2015–16
League
Eredivisie
League
2
League
0
National cup
1
National cup
1
League cup
0
League cup
0
Continental
—
Continental
—
Other
3
Other
1
Career total
Career total
Club
Career total
Season
324
League
24
League
34
League
7
National cup
10
National cup
0
League cup
39
League cup
1
Continental
16
Continental
3
Other
423
Other
35
Club
Season
League
National cup
League cup
Continental
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Ajax
2001–02
Eredivisie
15
0
1
0
—
3
0
—
19
0
2002–03
Eredivisie
1
0
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
1
0
2003–04
Eredivisie
26
3
1
0
—
3
0
—
30
3
2004–05
Eredivisie
26
1
3
0
—
6
0
1
0
36
1
2005–06
Eredivisie
19
1
3
0
—
6
0
5
1
33
2
2006–07
Eredivisie
32
6
5
1
—
9
1
5
1
51
9
2007–08
Eredivisie
33
6
3
2
—
4
0
5
1
45
9
Total
152
17
16
3
—
31
1
16
3
215
24
Atlético Madrid
2008–09
La Liga
27
3
1
0
—
6
0
—
34
3
2009–10
La Liga
1
0
0
0
—
2
0
—
3
0
Total
28
3
1
0
—
8
0
—
37
3
Everton
2009–10
Premier League
31
0
2
0
2
0
—
—
35
0
2010–11
Premier League
27
1
3
0
1
0
—
—
31
1
2011–12
Premier League
30
1
6
1
3
0
—
—
39
2
2012–13
Premier League
26
0
2
1
2
0
—
—
30
1
2013–14
Premier League
1
0
2
1
2
0
—
—
5
1
Total
115
2
15
3
10
0
—
—
140
5
Fulham
2013–14
Premier League
14
1
0
0
0
0
—
—
14
1
Hertha BSC
2014–15
Bundesliga
13
1
1
0
—
—
—
14
1
Ajax
2015–16
Eredivisie
2
0
1
1
0
0
—
—
3
1
Career total
324
24
34
7
10
0
39
1
16
3
423
35
Appearances and goals by national team and year · Career statistics › International
Netherlands
Netherlands
National team
Netherlands
Year
2004
Apps
12
Goals
1
2005
2005
National team
2005
Year
4
Apps
0
2006
2006
National team
2006
Year
8
Apps
1
2007
2007
National team
2007
Year
7
Apps
1
2008
2008
National team
2008
Year
12
Apps
3
2009
2009
National team
2009
Year
7
Apps
0
2010
2010
National team
2010
Year
15
Apps
0
2011
2011
National team
2011
Year
9
Apps
1
2012
2012
National team
2012
Year
11
Apps
0
2013
2013
National team
2013
Year
2
Apps
0
Total
Total
National team
Total
Year
87
Apps
7
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Netherlands
2004
12
1
2005
4
0
2006
8
1
2007
7
1
2008
12
3
2009
7
0
2010
15
0
2011
9
1
2012
11
0
2013
2
0
Total
87
7
List of international goals scored by John Heitinga[49][50] · Career statistics › International
1.
1.
Goal
1.
Date
28 April 2004
Venue
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Opponent
Greece
Score
3–0
Result
4–0
Competition
Friendly
2.
2.
Goal
2.
Date
1 June 2006
Venue
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Opponent
Mexico
Score
1–1
Result
2–1
Competition
Friendly
3.
3.
Goal
3.
Date
6 June 2007
Venue
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Opponent
Thailand
Score
2–0
Result
3–1
Competition
Friendly
4.
4.
Goal
4.
Date
6 February 2008
Venue
Poljud Stadium, Split, Croatia
Opponent
Croatia
Score
1–0
Result
3–0
Competition
Friendly
5.
5.
Goal
5.
Date
26 March 2008
Venue
Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
Opponent
Austria
Score
2–3
Result
4–3
Competition
Friendly
6.
6.
Goal
6.
Date
10 September 2008
Venue
Skopje City Stadium, Skopje, Macedonia
Opponent
Macedonia
Score
1–0
Result
2–1
Competition
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.
7.
Goal
7.
Date
2 September 2011
Venue
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Opponent
San Marino
Score
3–0
Result
11–0
Competition
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
Goal
Date
Venue
Opponent
Score
Result
Competition
1.
28 April 2004
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Greece
3–0
4–0
Friendly
2.
1 June 2006
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Mexico
1–1
2–1
Friendly
3.
6 June 2007
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand
2–0
3–1
Friendly
4.
6 February 2008
Poljud Stadium, Split, Croatia
Croatia
1–0
3–0
Friendly
5.
26 March 2008
Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
Austria
2–3
4–3
Friendly
6.
10 September 2008
Skopje City Stadium, Skopje, Macedonia
Macedonia
1–0
2–1
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.
2 September 2011
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
San Marino
3–0
11–0
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
Managerial record by team and tenure · Managerial statistics
mw- G
mw- G
Team
mw- G
Nat
W
From
D
To
L
Record
Win %
Jong Ajax
Jong Ajax
Team
Jong Ajax
Nat
From
1 July 2021
To
27 January 2023
Record
59
Record
23
Record
17
Record
19
Record
038.98
Ajax
Ajax
Team
Ajax
Nat
From
27 January 2023
To
14 June 2023
Record
22
Record
14
Record
4
Record
4
Record
063.64
Ajax
Ajax
Team
Ajax
Nat
From
31 May 2025
To
6 November 2025
Record
15
Record
5
Record
5
Record
5
Record
033.33
Total
Total
Team
Total
Nat
96
From
42
To
26
Record
28
Record
043.75
Record
—
Team
Nat
From
To
Record
Ref
mw- G
W
D
L
Win %
Jong Ajax
1 July 2021
27 January 2023
59
23
17
19
038.98
Ajax
27 January 2023
14 June 2023
22
14
4
4
063.64
Ajax
31 May 2025
6 November 2025
15
5
5
5
033.33
Total
96
42
26
28
043.75
—

References

  1. Includes KNVB Cup, Copa del Rey, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. Includes Football League Cup
  3. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
  5. One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, four appearances and one goal in Eredivisie play-offs
  6. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and one goal in UEFA Cup
  7. One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, four appearances and one goal in Eredivisie play-offs
  8. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  9. One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, four appearances and one goal in Eredivisie play-offs
  10. The previous players to be sent off in a World Cup Final are Pedro Monzón, Gustavo Dezotti, Marcel Desailly, and Zinedin
  11. "Acta del Partido celebrado el 30 de agosto de 2009, en Málaga"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210928141302/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=8915
  12. "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of players: Netherlands"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100616010702/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf
  13. "John Heitinga"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090905133313/http://www.heitingaofficial.com/en/fact_file.asp
  14. "Everton seal £6m Heitinga signing"
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8229863.stm
  15. Fulham FC
    https://www.fulhamfc.com/
  16. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37369501/john-heitinga-joins-hertha-berlin-free-transfer
  17. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11913/9895193/john-heitinga-returns-to-old-club-ajax-with-one-year-deal
  18. sportskeeda.com
    https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/john-heitinga
  19. mastersexpo.com
    https://mastersexpo.com/en/john-heitinga-2/
  20. mastersexpo.com
    https://mastersexpo.com/en/john-heitinga-2/
  21. Reuters
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090207214758/http://football.uk.reuters.com/european/news/E6AFB8A8-0F06-11DD-8FE6-1BEA3A9AF52A.php
  22. "Everton seal £6m Heitinga signing"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8229863.stm
  23. Everton Agree £6.2m Fee for Dutch International Heitinga
    https://archive.today/20120723013621/http://www.caughtoffside.com/2009/08/29/everton-agree-6.2m-fee-for-dutch-international-heitinga/
  24. "Heitinga signs for Everton, Van der Vaart stays"
    http://www.espnfc.com/story/672631/johnny-heitinga-signs-for-everton-rafael-van-der-vaart-stays
  25. Fulham 2–1 Everton BBC Sport, 13 September 2009.
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8243944.stm
  26. "John Heitinga Player Profile"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20060228235948/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=10004&cc=3436
  27. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/09/everton-birmingham-city-premier-league?INTCMP=SRCH
  28. "So Close... – Everton Football Club"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120512033428/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/05/10/proud-hetinga-is-best-player
  29. "Heitinga Proving to be a Defensive Liability for Everton"
    https://archive.today/20130629213523/http://www.socanalysis.com/heitinga-proving-to-be-a-defensive-liability-for-everton/
  30. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/john-heitinga-claims-not-to-be-affected-by-criticism-from-everton-fans-8542296.html
  31. "Johnny Heitinga turns down fresh Everton contract"
    http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/everton/transfer-talk/news/heitinga-rejects-new-everton-deal_86883.html
  32. "Johnny Heitinga rejects West Ham but expects to leave Everton"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25568426
  33. "Heitinga joins Fulham"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105859/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/heitinga-joins-fulham
  34. "Fulham 1-3 Chelsea"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26300995
  35. "Player Departures"
    http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/23/player-departures
  36. "Heitinga rond met Hertha"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160108014648/http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/Cookies/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hamF4c2hvd3RpbWUuY29tL2FydGljbGUvdm9ldGJhbG5pZXV3cy83OTUwMS8taGVydGhhLWJzYy1oZW5nZWx0LW5hYXItaGVpdGluZ2EtLmh0bWxwdWJsaXNoZXI9QWpheA==
  37. "Defender John Heitinga returns to old club Ajax with one-year deal"
    http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11913/9895193/john-heitinga-returns-to-old-club-ajax-with-one-year-deal
  38. "Heitinga stopt strijd bij Ajax en hangt kicksen aan de wilgen"
    http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/heitinga-stopt-strijd-bij-ajax-en-hangt-kicksen-aan-de-wilgen.htm
  39. "Oranje endure another friendly blank"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100206101249/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/index.html
  40. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/27/holland-world-cup-23-man-squad
  41. "Netherlands-Denmark"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100617201952/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061478/report.html
  42. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/11/world-cup-final-holland-spain1
  43. "Netherlands 0–1 Spain (aet)"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_64
  44. "Ajax extends John Heitinga's contract"
    https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-extends-john-heitingas-contract
  45. "Heitinga head coach of Ajax for rest of season"
    https://english.ajax.nl/articles/heitinga-head-coach-of-ajax-for-rest-of-season
  46. "Excelsior Rotterdam 1–4 Ajax"
    https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/637363/ajax-amsterdam-excelsior
  47. "Dutch Eredivisie Table 2022-23"
    https://www.espn.com/soccer/standings/_/league/NED.1/season/2022
  48. "2023: Psv Verslaat Ajax Na Strafschoppen"
    https://www.totoknvbbeker.nl/103-finales/2023-psv-verslaat-ajax-na-strafschoppen
  49. "Ajax and John Heitinga terminate contract"
    https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-and-john-heitinga-terminate-contract
  50. Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-john-heitinga-mark-robson-henry-newman-b1105031.html
  51. West Ham News
    https://www.claretandhugh.info/moyes-coaching-team-leave-west-ham/
  52. Liverpool FC
    https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/john-heitinga-appointed-liverpool-assistant-coach
  53. This is Anfield
    https://www.thisisanfield.com/2025/02/john-heitinga-to-lead-liverpool-for-2-games-due-to-arne-slot-ban
  54. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy9l34r2rpno
  55. Daily Mirror
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-newcastle-arne-slot-ban-34752253
  56. "John Heitinga appointed head coach of Ajax"
    https://english.ajax.nl/articles/john-heitinga-appointed-head-coach-of-ajax/
  57. "Ajax suspends John Heitinga with immediate effect"
    https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-suspends-john-heitinga-with-immediate-effect/
  58. "John Heitinga » Club matches"
    https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1197/john-heitinga/club-matches/
  59. National Football Teams
    https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/4639.html
  60. "Gespeelde wedstrijden"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070927021807/http://knvb.nl/oranje/selectie/spelers/detail/gesp-wedstr?player_id=20030901143325607
  61. Soccerway
    https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/netherlands/jong-ajax/4781/
  62. Soccerway
    https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/netherlands/afc-ajax/1515/
  63. "My Story"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080519230805/http://www.heitingaofficial.com/en/biography.asp
  64. RSSSF
    https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/nedpoy.html
  65. "Proud Heitinga Is Best Player"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120512033428/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/05/10/proud-hetinga-is-best-player
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