“Heitinga takes exactly the same decisions as Schreuder”

Wesley Sneijder thinks that John Heitinga should stay on as head coach of Ajax this summer. The record international of the Dutch national team is critical of its working method.

Sneijder argues for a fair chance

“You have to give someone a chance to get the time and space with their own material,” Sneijder opens Veronica Offside. “It would be a disappointment for Heitinga if he were now returned to Jong Ajax. It would be very silly for him, but of course he is judged on results.”

Sneijder notices that Heitinga commits similar mistakes as Alfred Schreuder. “He made exactly the same decisions as Schreuder. Against these types of opponents (FC Emmen, ed.) Tadic will turn a bit again, but the moments of change were almost identical to those of Schreuder. After the first game, Tadic did it very smartly by saying in his interview: top trainer, who must stay.”

In Sneijder’s eyes, it is remarkable that Sven Mislintat, the new director of football affairs, does not appoint his own trainer. “Surely someone has to stand up there with their own opinion? Someone who says: this, this and this is not correct. You out, you out and we’re going to clean up.”

Disaster imminent?

Ajax claims to be able to handle a year without the Champions League, but Sneijder foresees a major problem. “Because those players have mega salaries. Then you are forced to get rid of players. I don’t know if you’re losing Bassey right now. You will not lose that and you will not let him go for four or five million.”