View source for John Heitinga

{{short description|Dutch football player and coach (born 1983)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = John Heitinga
| image = GAE - Ajax - 52788475730 (John Heitinga).jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Heitinga as manager of [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in 2023
| full_name = John Gijsbert Alan Heitinga<ref>{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=8915 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 30 de agosto de 2009, en Málaga |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 30 August 2009, in Málaga |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |access-date=18 June 2019 |language=es |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928141302/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=8915 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|11|15|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616010702/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2010 |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of players: Netherlands |publisher=FIFA |page=20 |date=4 June 2010 |access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Alphen aan den Rijn]], Netherlands
| height = 1.80 m<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.heitingaofficial.com/en/fact_file.asp | title = John Heitinga | publisher = heitingaofficial.com | access-date = 10 September 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090905133313/http://www.heitingaofficial.com/en/fact_file.asp | archive-date = 5 September 2009 }}</ref>
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1987–1990
| youthclubs1 = [[SV ARC|ARC]]
| youthyears2 = 1990–2001
| youthclubs2 = [[Ajax Youth Academy|Ajax]]
| years1 = 2001–2008
| clubs1 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps1 = 152
| goals1 = 17
| years2 = 2008–2009
| clubs2 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps2 = 28
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2009–2014
| clubs3 = [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
| caps3 = 115
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2014
| clubs4 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
| caps4 = 14
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2014–2015
| clubs5 = [[Hertha BSC]]
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2015–2016
| clubs6 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps6 = 2
| goals6 = 0
| totalcaps = 324
| totalgoals = 24
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2013
| nationalteam1 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
| nationalcaps1 = 87
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| manageryears1 = 2021–2023
| managerclubs1 = [[Jong Ajax]]
| manageryears2 = 2023
| managerclubs2 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] (interim)
| manageryears3 = 2024–2025
| managerclubs3 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] (assistant coach)
| manageryears4 = 2025
| managerclubs4 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}}
{{medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}} 
{{Medal|RU|[[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 South Africa]]|}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|B|[[UEFA Euro 2004|2004 Portugal]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Under-16 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|B|[[2000 UEFA European Under-16 Championship|2000 Israel]]|[[Netherlands national under-16 football team|U-16 Team]]}}
}}
'''John Gijsbert Alan Heitinga''' (born 15 November 1983) is a Dutch [[association football|football]] coach and former player who was most recently the head coach of [[Eredivisie]] club [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]].

A [[centre-back]] and product of the [[Ajax Academy]], he played for their first squad from 2001 to 2008, winning two [[Eredivisie]] and three [[KNVB Cup]] titles. After a one-year spell at [[Atlético Madrid]] in Spain, he signed for [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in 2009. He joined [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] at the start of 2014 then signed with German side [[Hertha BSC]] later that year. In June 2015, he returned to his Ajax for a single season before retiring in 2016.

After making his debut for the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands national team]] in February 2004, Heitinga earned 87 caps and represented his country at two [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]] ([[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]) and three [[UEFA European Championship|European Championships]] ([[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]], [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]], and [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012]]). He helped the Dutch to the [[2010 FIFA World Cup final|World Cup final]] in 2010, in which he was [[Ejection (sports)|sent off]] in a loss to [[Spain national football team|Spain]]. In 2008, he was named [[Dutch Footballer of the Year]].

==Early life==
Heitinga was born in [[Alphen aan den Rijn]], South Holland,<ref>{{cite web|title=John Heitinga Biography, Career Info, Records & Achievements|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/john-heitinga|website=sportskeeda.com}}</ref> and raised in [[Amsterdam]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Heitinga's Journey|url=https://mastersexpo.com/en/john-heitinga-2/|website=mastersexpo.com|date=8 July 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref> He is of Indonesian descent through his paternal grandfather.<ref>{{cite web|title=GIJSBERT JOHAN HEITINGA|url=https://mastersexpo.com/en/john-heitinga-2/|website=mastersexpo.com|date=8 July 2020 |access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref>

==Club career==
[[File:Oslavy Ajaxu.jpg|thumb|left|Heitinga (right, with [[Urby Emanuelson]], [[Wesley Sneijder]], [[Maarten Stekelenburg]], and [[Zdeněk Grygera]]) played for Ajax from 2001 to 2008.]]

===Ajax===
Heitinga was part of the [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] youth team, before making his debut for the first team on 26 August 2001 against [[Feyenoord]]. He was part a new wave of talent that fielded the likes of homegrown stars [[Rafael van der Vaart]] and [[Wesley Sneijder]], as well as [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] and [[Cristian Chivu]]. He was featured in a documentary entitled ''[[Ajax: Hark the Herald Angel Sings]]'' alongside Ajax academy pupils [[Gregory van der Wiel]], [[Mitchell Donald]], [[Jeffrey Sarpong]], [[Donovan Slijngard]], [[Nordin Amrabat]], [[Evander Sno]] and [[Jeremain Lens]].

Heitinga quickly established himself as a strong addition to the team and became first-choice player under coach [[Co Adriaanse]] and later [[Ronald Koeman]] until he suffered a serious knee injury which kept him on the sidelines for over six months. His comeback was short-lived, as he played only one game before suffering yet another injury which again sentenced him to a long period of recovery.

He made his second comeback at the start of the [[2003–04 Eredivisie|2003–04 season]] and impressed in his first game since injury against [[FC Volendam|Volendam]], from where he went on to become a first choice central defender for the remainder of the season as well as a popular figure amongst the fans. When it was announced that he would be leaving Ajax at the end of the [[2007–08 Eredivisie|2007–08 season]], the fans gave him a fitting send-off by displaying a mosaic of him on the stands.

[[File:Michael Owen Johnny Heitinga cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Heitinga (left) with [[Michael Owen]].]]

===Atlético Madrid===
Heitinga moved to [[Atlético Madrid]] at the end of the 2007–08 season for a fee of £8.8 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://football.uk.reuters.com/european/news/E6AFB8A8-0F06-11DD-8FE6-1BEA3A9AF52A.php |title=Ajax finalise terms on Heitinga sale to Atletico Madrid |work=Reuters|date=20 April 2008 |access-date=15 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207214758/http://football.uk.reuters.com/european/news/E6AFB8A8-0F06-11DD-8FE6-1BEA3A9AF52A.php |archive-date=7 February 2009 }}</ref> His first season in Spain ended with Heitinga making 32 appearances – 27 in [[La Liga]] – and scoring three goals for Atlético.

===Everton===
In September 2009, aged 25, Heitinga joined English [[Premier League]] club [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] on a five-year contract for a fee of around €7.04 million (£6.2 million).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8229863.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Everton seal £6m Heitinga signing|date=September 2009 }}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120723013621/http://www.caughtoffside.com/2009/08/29/everton-agree-6.2m-fee-for-dutch-international-heitinga/ Everton Agree £6.2m Fee for Dutch International Heitinga]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/672631/johnny-heitinga-signs-for-everton-rafael-van-der-vaart-stays|title=Heitinga signs for Everton, Van der Vaart stays}}</ref> He was given squad number 5, though he was not eligible to represent Everton in the [[UEFA Europa League]], having already played for [[Atlético Madrid]] in the qualifying stage of the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. Heitinga made his debut for Everton on 13 September against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] after coming on for the injured [[Phil Neville]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8243944.stm Fulham 2–1 Everton] BBC Sport, 13 September 2009.</ref> In his first season for the club, Heitinga made 35 appearances in all competitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=10004&cc=3436|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060228235948/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=10004&cc=3436|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 February 2006|title=John Heitinga Player Profile|publisher=ESPN FC}}</ref>

In the [[2010–11 FA Cup]], Everton held holders [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] 1–1 in a replay at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], sending the tie to [[penalty shootout|penalties]]. Heitinga took Everton's fourth and scored. Phil Neville went on to score the winning penalty for Everton. Later that season, Heitinga scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw at home to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref name="EFCvBCFC">{{cite news|title=John Heitinga's goal for Everton denies Birmingham a much needed win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/09/everton-birmingham-city-premier-league?INTCMP=SRCH|work=The Guardian|date=9 March 2011|access-date=15 August 2011|author=Jolly, Richard|location=London}}</ref> Heitinga was voted Everton's Player of the Season for [[2011–12 Everton F.C. season|2011–12]] by the club's supporters.<ref name=evertonfc>{{cite web|url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/05/10/proud-hetinga-is-best-player|title=So Close... – Everton Football Club|access-date=11 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512033428/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/05/10/proud-hetinga-is-best-player|archive-date=12 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then scored against Newcastle on the final day of the season with an unmarked header which put Everton 3–0, his second Premier League goal and his first in over 14 months.<ref name=evertonfc/>

In [[2012–13 Everton F.C. season|2012–13 season]],  manager [[David Moyes]] opted to play [[Phil Jagielka]] and [[Sylvain Distin]] in central defence for much of Everton's season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.socanalysis.com/heitinga-proving-to-be-a-defensive-liability-for-everton/|title=Heitinga Proving to be a Defensive Liability for Everton|publisher=Socanalysis|access-date=29 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629213523/http://www.socanalysis.com/heitinga-proving-to-be-a-defensive-liability-for-everton/|archive-date=29 June 2013}}</ref> Heitinga had to wait until an injury to Jagielka gave him a sustained run in the team but poor performances which included him being culpable for all three goals in a 3–3 draw with [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] led to him being criticised by fans.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/john-heitinga-claims-not-to-be-affected-by-criticism-from-everton-fans-8542296.html |title=John Heitinga claims not to be affected by criticism from Everton fans|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=29 June 2013|location=London|date=20 March 2013}}</ref> However, in April Moyes praised Heitinga's mental strength for battling back after his earlier form in the season would have "broken" most players.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Despite this, Heitinga revealed that he had rejected Everton's offer of a new contract at the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/everton/transfer-talk/news/heitinga-rejects-new-everton-deal_86883.html|title=Johnny Heitinga turns down fresh Everton contract|date=31 May 2013 |publisher=Sports Mole|access-date=29 June 2013}}</ref> In January 2014, Everton and [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] agreed terms for the transfer of Heitinga. He turned down the move however saying: "You have to be convinced that you are taking the right step and I was not".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25568426|title=Johnny Heitinga rejects West Ham but expects to leave Everton|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> He scored his last goal for the team in his last outing, Everton's 4–0 FA Cup win against [[Stevenage FC|Stevenage]].

===Later career===
On 31 January 2014, Heitinga signed for [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] for a six-month deal on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Fulham FC|access-date=31 January 2014|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/heitinga-joins-fulham|title=Heitinga joins Fulham|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105859/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/heitinga-joins-fulham|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a 3–1 loss against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] on 1 March, Heitinga scored the only goal for Fulham.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fulham 1-3 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26300995|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 May 2014|date=1 March 2014|author=Kerry Wilkinson}}</ref> On 23 May 2014, he was released from the club at the end of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Player Departures|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/23/player-departures|publisher=Fulham F.C.|access-date=23 May 2014|date=23 May 2014}}</ref>

Heitinga signed a two-year contract with German club [[Hertha BSC]] in June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heitinga rond met Hertha|url=http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/Cookies/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hamF4c2hvd3RpbWUuY29tL2FydGljbGUvdm9ldGJhbG5pZXV3cy83OTUwMS8taGVydGhhLWJzYy1oZW5nZWx0LW5hYXItaGVpdGluZ2EtLmh0bWxwdWJsaXNoZXI9QWpheA==|access-date=4 June 2014|date=4 June 2014|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108014648/http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/Cookies/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hamF4c2hvd3RpbWUuY29tL2FydGljbGUvdm9ldGJhbG5pZXV3cy83OTUwMS8taGVydGhhLWJzYy1oZW5nZWx0LW5hYXItaGVpdGluZ2EtLmh0bWxwdWJsaXNoZXI9QWpheA==|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 25 June 2015, [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] announced that Heitinga would return to the club on a free transfer. He signed a one-year contract with the option of a second year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11913/9895193/john-heitinga-returns-to-old-club-ajax-with-one-year-deal|title=Defender John Heitinga returns to old club Ajax with one-year deal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 June 2015|access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref> However, after playing only two [[Eredivisie]] matches in the first half of the season, Heitinga decided to retire from professional football on 1 February 2016.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=2 February 2016|url=http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/heitinga-stopt-strijd-bij-ajax-en-hangt-kicksen-aan-de-wilgen.htm|title=Heitinga stopt strijd bij Ajax en hangt kicksen aan de wilgen|trans-title=Heitinga stops fighting with Ajax and hangs wet grass on the willows|language=nl|publisher=Voetbal International|date=1 February 2016}}</ref>

==International career==
===Euro 2004===
[[File:Heitinga Oranje.jpg|thumb|120px|right|Heitinga playing for the Netherlands.]]
Having been part of Dutch international youth teams, Heitinga made his senior debut for the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] on 18 February 2004 in a friendly game against the [[United States national men's soccer team|United States]]. Several months later, he scored his first goal from a [[Rafael van der Vaart]] free kick in a friendly against [[Greece national football team|Greece]].

Although he did not take part in qualifying, Heitinga was later included in the squad for the [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]] in Portugal since the [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Dutch under-21 team]] had failed to qualify for the [[2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|European Championships]]. He started as first choice right back in the first two group stage matches but was suspended for the last match when he was sent-off for two bookable offences. After serving his suspension, he returned in the quarter-final against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] as a second-half substitute for [[Edgar Davids]] and converted his penalty as the Dutch won 5–4 on penalties. The Dutch, however, were eliminated by the hosts [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in the semi-finals.

===2006 World Cup and Euro 2008===
{{Expand section|date=August 2011}}
[[File:Heitinga, Boulahrouz en van Bronckhorst.jpg|thumb|John Heitinga (left) with [[Giovanni van Bronckhorst]], [[Khalid Boulahrouz]] and [[Phillip Cocu]] in 2010.]]
Heitinga was selected by [[Marco van Basten]] for the Dutch national team of 23 players to compete in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], hosted by Germany. The Dutch reached the second round before again being knocked out by Portugal.

Heitinga was also called up to the Dutch squad for [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]] in Austria and Switzerland. Since Euro 2008, he has been a regular in the right back position and has occasionally deputised in other defensive positions during an injury crisis. He made his 50th appearance for the Netherlands in a friendly against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] on 18 November 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oranje endure another friendly blank |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=18 November 2009 |url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/news/kind=1/newsid=921378.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206101249/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/index.html |archive-date= 6 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2010 World Cup===
Heitinga was included in the squad for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in South Africa,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/27/holland-world-cup-23-man-squad|title=Holland coach Bert van Marwijk finalises World Cup squad|work=The Guardian|date=27 May 2010|agency=Press Association|access-date=27 May 2010 |location=London}}</ref> and was in the starting line-up for the Netherlands' first match in the competition, a 2–0 victory over [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061478/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617201952/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249722/match=300061478/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2010 |title=Netherlands-Denmark |publisher=FIFA |date=14 June 2010|access-date=16 June 2010}}</ref> Heitinga played in every game as the Netherlands reached the [[2010 FIFA World Cup Final|final]] for the third time, where they faced [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]]. He started the match but was sent off in the 109th minute after being given his second yellow card for a foul on [[Andrés Iniesta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/11/world-cup-final-holland-spain1|title=Andrés Iniesta finds key for Spain to beat Holland|date=11 July 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=27 September 2013}}</ref>
He became the fifth player to be sent off in a World Cup final.<ref name=wcfinalbbc>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_64|title=Netherlands 0–1 Spain (aet)|first=Paul|last=Fletcher|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2010|access-date=12 July 2010}}</ref><ref group=nb>The previous players to be sent off in a World Cup Final are [[Pedro Monzón]], [[Gustavo Dezotti]], [[Marcel Desailly]], and [[Zinedine Zidane]].</ref> The Netherlands went on to lose the final 1–0 after Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain in the 116th minute.<ref name=wcfinalbbc/>

==Coaching career==
In June 2021, Heitinga was appointed manager of [[Jong Ajax]], the reserve team of Ajax competing in the [[Eerste Divisie]]. He signed a contract for two seasons running until June 2023.<ref name="JongAjax2021">{{cite web |title=Ajax extends John Heitinga's contract
 |url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-extends-john-heitingas-contract |publisher=AFC Ajax |access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> In 2022, he extended his contract until 2025.<ref name="JongAjax2021"/> On 27 January 2023, Heitinga was appointed interim manager of Ajax's first team for the remainder of the season, following the dismissal of [[Alfred Schreuder]].<ref name="AjaxInterim2023">{{cite web |title=Heitinga head coach of Ajax for rest of season |url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/heitinga-head-coach-of-ajax-for-rest-of-season |publisher=AFC Ajax |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref> His first match in charge was a 4–1 away win against Excelsior on 29 January.<ref name="ExcelsiorWin">{{cite web |title=Excelsior Rotterdam 1–4 Ajax|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/637363/ajax-amsterdam-excelsior |publisher=ESPN |access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref> Under Heitinga's guidance, Ajax finished in third place in the [[Eredivisie]], securing a place in the UEFA Europa League play-off round.<ref name="Eredivisie2023">{{cite web |title=Dutch Eredivisie Table 2022-23|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/standings/_/league/NED.1/season/2022 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> They also reached the final of the [[KNVB Cup]], losing to PSV on penalties after a 1–1 draw.<ref name="KNVBFinal2023">{{cite web |title=2023: Psv Verslaat Ajax Na Strafschoppen|url=https://www.totoknvbbeker.nl/103-finales/2023-psv-verslaat-ajax-na-strafschoppen |publisher=KNVB |language=nl |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> On 1 June 2023, it was announced that Heitinga would not continue as manager of Ajax beyond his interim spell, with the club deciding to appoint [[Maurice Steijn]] instead.<ref name="AjaxDeparture2023">{{cite web |title=Ajax and John Heitinga terminate contract |url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-and-john-heitinga-terminate-contract |publisher=AFC Ajax |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref>

In September 2023, Heitinga was appointed first-team coach at West Ham United as assistant to [[David Moyes]], his former manager at Everton.<ref>{{cite web | last=Mayo | first=Marc | title=West Ham appoint John Heitinga as trio join David Moyes' coaching staff | website=Evening Standard | date=5 September 2023 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-john-heitinga-mark-robson-henry-newman-b1105031.html | access-date=11 September 2023}}</ref> Upon the departure of Moyes in May 2024, Heitinga left the club, along with other coaches and back-room staff.<ref>{{cite web | title=Moyes Coaching Team Leave West Ham | website=West Ham News | date=21 May 2024 | url=https://www.claretandhugh.info/moyes-coaching-team-leave-west-ham/ | access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref> On 17 July 2024, Heitinga was appointed as the new assistant coach at [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref>{{cite news |title=John Heitinga appointed Liverpool assistant coach |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/john-heitinga-appointed-liverpool-assistant-coach |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=Liverpool FC |date=17 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He took charge of Liverpool for the first time in a 2–0 win over [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 26 February 2025, whilst manager [[Arne Slot]] and assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff were suspended.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Millner |first1=Sam |title=John Heitinga to lead Liverpool for 2 games due to Arne Slot ban |url=https://www.thisisanfield.com/2025/02/john-heitinga-to-lead-liverpool-for-2-games-due-to-arne-slot-ban |website=This is Anfield |access-date=3 March 2025 |date=26 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Mersey mayhem' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy9l34r2rpno |website=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=3 March 2025 |date=13 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Trotter |first1=Scott |title=Liverpool to be managed by ex-Everton hero vs Newcastle after Arne Slot's extended FA ban |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-newcastle-arne-slot-ban-34752253 |website=[[Daily Mirror]] |access-date=3 March 2025 |date=26 February 2025}}</ref> That season, Liverpool, under Slot’s leadership, won the [[2024–25 Premier League|Premier League title]].

On 31 May 2025, Heitinga agreed to return to his former club Ajax as head coach, signing a two-year contract set to begin with the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/john-heitinga-appointed-head-coach-of-ajax/ |title=John Heitinga appointed head coach of Ajax |publisher=AFC Ajax |date=31 May 2025 }}</ref>

On 6 November 2025, just 5 months after being announced as head coach of Ajax, Heitinga was dismissed following the club's 3–0 home defeat to [[Turkish Football Federation|Turkish]] side [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] in the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], which saw them sit bottom of the [[2025–26 UEFA Champions League league phase|league phase]] table, failing to secure a point in their 4 matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-suspends-john-heitinga-with-immediate-effect/ |title=Ajax suspends John Heitinga with immediate effect |publisher=AFC Ajax |date=6 November 2025 }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web|title=John Heitinga » Club matches|date=13 February 2014 |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe1197/john-heitinga/club-matches/|publisher=World Football|access-date=1 February 2016}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[KNVB Cup]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[FA Cup]], [[DFB-Pokal]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
|[[2001–02 AFC Ajax season|2001–02]]
|[[Eredivisie]]
|15||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0||colspan="2"|—||19||0
|-
|[[2002–03 AFC Ajax season|2002–03]]
|Eredivisie
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|[[2003–04 AFC Ajax season|2003–04]]
|Eredivisie
|26||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||30||3
|-
|[[2004–05 AFC Ajax season|2004–05]]
|Eredivisie
|26||1||3||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Johan Cruyff Shield]]}}||0||36||1
|-
|[[2005–06 AFC Ajax season|2005–06]]
|Eredivisie
|19||1||3||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||5{{efn|One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, four appearances and one goal in Eredivisie play-offs}}||1||33||2
|-
|[[2006–07 AFC Ajax season|2006–07]]
|Eredivisie
|32||6||5||1||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and one goal in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||1||5{{efn|One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, four appearances and one goal in Eredivisie play-offs}}||1||51||9
|-
|[[2007–08 AFC Ajax season|2007–08]]
|Eredivisie
|33||6||3||2||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}||0||5{{efn|One appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield, four appearances and one goal in Eredivisie play-offs}}|||1||45||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!152!!17!!16!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!31!!1!!16!!3!!215!!24
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Atlético Madrid]]
|[[2008–09 Atlético Madrid season|2008–09]]
|[[La Liga]]
|27||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||34||3
|-
|[[2009–10 Atlético Madrid season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!28!!3!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!8!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!37!!3
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
|[[2009–10 Everton F.C. season|2009–10]]
|[[Premier League]]
|31||0||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||0
|-
|[[2010–11 Everton F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|27||1||3||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||1
|-
|[[2011–12 Everton F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Premier League
|30||1||6||1||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||39||2
|-
|[[2012–13 Everton F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Premier League
|26||0||2||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||1
|-
|[[2013–14 Everton F.C. season|2013–14]]
|Premier League
|1||0||2||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||5||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!115!!2!!15!!3!!10!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!140!!5
|-
|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
|[[2013–14 Fulham F.C. season|2013–14]]
|Premier League
|14||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||1
|-
|[[Hertha BSC]]
|[[2014–15 Hertha BSC season|2014–15]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|13||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||1
|-
|Ajax
|[[2015–16 AFC Ajax season|2015–16]]
|Eredivisie
|2||0||1||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||1
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!324!!24!!34!!7!!10!!0!!39!!1!!16!!3!!423!!35
|}

{{notelist}}
[[File:Heitinga 08.08.jpg|thumb|332x332px|Heitinga in 2008 during training.]]

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="10"|[[Netherlands national football team|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
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!87!!7
|}

:''Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Heitinga goal.''

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by John Heitinga<ref>{{NFT player|4639|name=John Heitinga|accessdate=9 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gespeelde wedstrijden |publisher=KNVB |url=http://knvb.nl/oranje/selectie/spelers/detail/gesp-wedstr?player_id=20030901143325607 |access-date=16 May 2007 |language=nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927021807/http://knvb.nl/oranje/selectie/spelers/detail/gesp-wedstr?player_id=20030901143325607 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
! Goal !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 28 April 2004 || [[Philips Stadion]], Eindhoven, Netherlands || {{fb|GRE}} || {{center|3–0}} || {{center|4–0}} || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || 1 June 2006 || [[Philips Stadion]], Eindhoven, Netherlands || {{fb|MEX}} || {{center|1–1}} || {{center|2–1}} || Friendly
|-
| 3. || 6 June 2007 || [[Rajamangala Stadium]], Bangkok, Thailand || {{fb|THA}} || {{center|2–0}} || {{center|3–1}} || Friendly
|-
| 4. || 6 February 2008 || [[Poljud Stadium]], Split, Croatia || {{fb|CRO}} || {{center|1–0}} || {{center|3–0}} || Friendly
|-
| 5. || 26 March 2008 || [[Ernst-Happel-Stadion]], Vienna, Austria || {{fb|AUT}} || {{center|2–3}} || {{center|4–3}} || Friendly
|-
| 6. || 10 September 2008 || [[Skopje City Stadium]], Skopje, Macedonia || {{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}} || {{center|1–0}} || {{center|2–1}} || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 9|2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 7. || 2 September 2011 || [[Philips Stadion]], Eindhoven, Netherlands || {{fb|SMR}} || {{center|3–0}} || {{center|11–0}} || [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group E|UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]]
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{Updated|5 November 2025}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Jong Ajax]]
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}}
|align=left|1 July 2021
|align=left|27 January 2023
{{WDL|59|23|17|19}}
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Jong Ajax: Matches |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/netherlands/jong-ajax/4781/|work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=left| [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}}
|align=left|27 January 2023
|align=left|14 June 2023
{{WDL|22|14|4|4}}
|<ref name="AFC Ajax: Matches">{{cite web |title=AFC Ajax: Matches |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/netherlands/afc-ajax/1515/|work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=29 January 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=left| Ajax
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}}
|align=left|31 May 2025
|align=left|6 November 2025
{{WDL|15|5|5|5}}
|<ref name="AFC Ajax: Matches"/>
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|96|42|26|28}}
!—
|}

==Honours==
[[File:Heitinga Bruma (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|Heitinga (left) with [[Jeffrey Bruma]]]]

'''Ajax'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heitingaofficial.com/en/biography.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519230805/http://www.heitingaofficial.com/en/biography.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 May 2008|title=My Story|publisher=Heitinga Official Website|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref>
* [[Eredivisie]]: [[2001–02 Eredivisie|2001–02]], [[2003–04 Eredivisie|2003–04]]
* [[KNVB Cup]]: [[2001–02 KNVB Cup|2001–02]], [[2005–06 KNVB Cup|2005–06]], [[2006–07 KNVB Cup|2006–07]]
* [[Johan Cruyff Shield]]: [[2002 Johan Cruyff Shield|2002]], [[2005 Johan Cruyff Shield|2005]], [[2006 Johan Cruyff Shield|2006]], [[2007 Johan Cruyff Shield|2007]]

'''Netherlands'''
* [[FIFA World Cup]] runner-up: [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]

'''Individual'''
* [[Amsterdam Sportsman of the year|Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year]]: 2001
* [[List of AFC Ajax records and statistics#AFC Ajax prize winners|Ajax Talent of the Future (Sjaak Swart Award)]]: 2000–01
* [[Dutch Football Talent of the Year]]: 2003–04<ref name="DutchPOY">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/nedpoy.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317051045/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/nedpoy.html|url-status=live|archive-date=17 March 2015|title=Netherlands – Player of the Year and Other Awards|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref>
* [[Dutch Footballer of the Year]]: 2007–08<ref name="DutchPOY" />
* [[List of Everton F.C. records and statistics#Evertonfc.com player awards|Everton Player of the Season]]: [[2011–12 Everton F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/05/10/proud-hetinga-is-best-player | title=Proud Heitinga Is Best Player | publisher=[[Everton F.C.]] | date=10 May 2012 | access-date=14 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512033428/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/05/10/proud-hetinga-is-best-player | archive-date=12 May 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080510135454/http://www.heitingaofficial.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/6974 Profile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{S-start}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Amsterdam Sportsman of the year|Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year]]|before=[[Marten Eikelboom]]|after=Edwin de Nijs|years= 2001}}
{{S-end}}
{{AFC Ajax Talent of the Future}}
{{Dutch Football Talent of the Year}}
{{Dutch Footballer of the Year}}
{{Everton F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Netherlands squads
| bg = #F1771D
| fg = white
| bordercolor = blue
| list1 = 
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
{{Netherlands squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{Netherlands squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list =
{{Jong Ajax managers}}
{{AFC Ajax managers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heitinga, John}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Alphen aan den Rijn]]
[[Category:Indo people]]
[[Category:Dutch people of Indonesian descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Indonesian descent]]
[[Category:Dutch men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Netherlands men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2012 players]]
[[Category:Eredivisie players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:SV ARC players]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax players]]
[[Category:Atlético Madrid footballers]]
[[Category:Everton F.C. players]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hertha BSC players]]
[[Category:Dutch football managers]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Jong Ajax managers]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax managers]]
[[Category:Eerste Divisie managers]]
[[Category:Eredivisie managers]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers]]
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[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Dutch football coaches]]
[[Category:West Ham United F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Liverpool F.C. non-playing staff]]