John Heitinga

File:Oslavy Ajaxu.jpg, Wesley Sneijder, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Zdeněk Grygera) played for Ajax from 2001 to 2008.]]

Heitinga was part of the 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 season and impressed in his first game since injury against 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 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.]]

Heitinga moved to Atlético Madrid at the end of the 2007–08 season for a fee of £8.8 million.{{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 }} His first season in Spain ended with Heitinga making 32 appearances – 27 in La Liga – and scoring three goals for Atlético.

In September 2009, aged 25, Heitinga joined English Premier League club Everton on a five-year contract for a fee of around €7.04 million (£6.2 million).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8229863.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Everton seal £6m Heitinga signing|date=September 2009 }}[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]{{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}} 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 Champions League. Heitinga made his debut for Everton on 13 September against Fulham after coming on for the injured Phil Neville.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8243944.stm Fulham 2–1 Everton] BBC Sport, 13 September 2009. In his first season for the club, Heitinga made 35 appearances in all competitions.{{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}} He played mostly as defensive midfielder, covering the absence of several players and showing great spirit and adaptability.

In the 2010–11 FA Cup, Everton held holders Chelsea 1–1 in a replay at Stamford Bridge, sending the tie to 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.{{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}} Heitinga was voted Everton's Player of the Season for 2011–12 by the club's supporters.{{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}} He finally had an extended run of play as centre back, showing the passion and the commanding skills he always put on the field in the orange shirt. 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.

The 2012–13 season proved to be less successful for Heitinga as manager David Moyes opted to play Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin for much of Everton's season.{{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}} 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 led to him being criticised by fans.{{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}} 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.{{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}} In January 2014, Everton and 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".{{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}} He scored his last goal for the team in his last outing, Everton's 4–0 FA Cup win against Stevenage before eventually joining Fulham on a free transfer on transfer deadline day.

On 31 January 2014, Heitinga signed for Fulham for a six-month deal on a free transfer.{{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}} In a 3–1 loss against Chelsea on 1 March, Heitinga scored the only goal for Fulham.{{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}} On 23 May 2014, he was released from the club at the end of his contract.{{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}}

Heitinga signed a two-year contract with German club Hertha BSC in June 2014.{{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}}

On 25 June 2015, Ajax announced that Heitinga would return to the club, joining on a free transfer from German side Hertha BSC. He signed a one-year contract with the option of a second year.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.{{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}} In 2022, he extended his contract until 2025. 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.{{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}} His first match in charge was a 4–1 away win against Excelsior on 29 January.{{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}} Under Heitinga's guidance, Ajax finished in third place in the Eredivisie, securing a place in the UEFA Europa League play-off round.{{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}} They also reached the final of the KNVB Cup, losing to PSV on penalties after a 1–1 draw.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

In September 2023, Heitinga was appointed first-team coach at West Ham United as assistant to David Moyes, his former manager at Everton.{{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}} Upon the departure of Moyes in May 2024, Heitinga left the club, along with other coaches and back-room staff.{{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}} On 17 July 2024, Heitinga was appointed as the new assistant coach at Liverpool.{{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}} He took charge of Liverpool for the first time in a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on 26 February 2025, whilst manager Arne Slot and assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff were suspended.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

File:Heitinga Oranje.jpg

Having been part of Dutch international youth teams, Heitinga made his senior debut for the Netherlands on 18 February 2004 in a friendly game against the United States and made an immediate impact. Several months later, he scored his first goal from a Rafael van der Vaart free kick in a friendly against Greece.

Although he did not take part in qualifying, Heitinga was later included in the squad for the Euro 2004 in Portugal since the Dutch under-21 team had failed to qualify for the 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 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 in the semi-finals.

Heitinga's development as a player suffered two dips in form in the 2004–05 and the 2005–06 seasons, respectively. Despite club struggles, Heitinga never lost his spot in the national team under Marco van Basten, who took over as the Netherlands national coach in the summer of 2004. By the end of 2005, had also again become a key player in the Ajax squad. He would also be selected by Van Basten for the Dutch national team of 23 players to compete in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Germany. The Dutch side performed reasonably well at the World Cup, qualifying for the second round before again being knocked out by Portugal.

File:Sneijder Heitinga.jpg have been close friends since boyhood.]]

{{Expand section|date=August 2011}}

Heitinga was also called up to the Dutch squad for 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 on 18 November 2009.{{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 }}

File:Heitinga, Boulahrouz en van Bronckhorst.jpg, Khalid Boulahrouz and Phillip Cocu in 2010.]]

Heitinga was included in the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa,{{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}} and was in the starting line-up for the Netherlands' first match in the competition, a 2–0 victory over Denmark.{{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}} Heitinga played in every game as the Netherlands reached the final for the third time, where they faced 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.{{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}}

He became the fifth player to be sent off in a World Cup final.{{cite news|url=http://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}}The previous players to be sent off in a World Cup Final are Pedro Monzón, Gustavo Dezotti, Marcel Desailly, and Zinedine Zidane. The Netherlands went on to lose the final 1–0 after Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain in the 116th minute.

Heitinga was born in Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland,{{cite web|title=John Heitinga Biography, Career Info, Records & Achievements|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/john-heitinga|website=sportskeeda.com}} and raised in Amsterdam.{{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}} He is of Indonesian descent.{{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}}

{{notelist}}

File:Heitinga 08.08.jpg

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

{{Updated|14 July 2023}}

File:Heitinga Bruma (cropped).jpg]]

Ajax{{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}}

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

Netherlands

• FIFA World Cup: runner-up 2010

Individual

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

{{Reflist|group=nb}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080510135454/http://www.heitingaofficial.com/ Official website]
• [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/mens/staff/john-heitinga Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
• [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/6974 Profile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heitinga, John}}

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