Erik ten Hag set for shock return: It is 'the only logical scenario'

Tom Weber

Updated: 4 Oct 2025 17:05 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag ligt al vroeg in het seizoen onder vuur vanwege zijn wisselbeleid bij Bayer Leverkusen, zo meldt het Duitse Kicker. De Nederlander, die deze zomer Xabi Alonso opvolgde, kreeg kritiek na de wedstrijd tegen Hoffenheim. Het pressingvoetb... — © IMAGO

John Heitinga is under growing pressure at Ajax, and re-appointing former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is the 'only logical scenario,' according to one of the Netherlands' most respected journalists.

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Heitinga's hire as coach of the Amsterdam side seemed to be a controversial one from the outset, but the pressure on the former Liverpool assistant has increased significantly recently.

Ajax left the pitch with a hard-fought victory against NAC Breda last week and were treated to a stern chorus of whistles. In midweek, the team was powerless against Marseille in the Champions League.

This is why supporters are flocking to social media to air their opinions about Heitinga. The former Netherlands international was already a trending topic on social media during the first half of the match against Marseille.

Pressure from the press is also mounting on the shoulders of the inexperienced manager as he has failed to show much tactical improvement since taking the reins.

Ajax to re-hire Ten Hag?

According to De Telegraaf's chief Ajax writer Valentijn Driessen, the 'only logical scenario' for Ajax going forward is to replace Heitinga with Erik ten Hag, who enjoyed immense success in Amsterdam before ill-fated stints at Man Utd and Bayer Leverkusen.

"The only logical scenario you can follow is bringing back someone like Ten Hag as quickly as possible," Driessen said. "If necessary, with the same management team.

© IMAGO - John Heitinga is under growing pressure at Ajax

"If Ten Hag doesn't want to come now, you have to make sure he does in the winter [break]. That also gives you some rest. Everyone knows Ten Hag is a project coach. You give yourself extra time, and Ajax need that. You can give Heitinga time, but that won't change anything."

Driessen has also suggested that Ajax need more high-profile former players in their coaching staff so that younger first-teamers and academy prospects have someone to look up to and learn from. He has floated Wesley Sneijder as a potential hire for the Eredivisie giants.

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