In Focus: Resurgent Ajax are on the right track under Heitinga

Ajax have put their faith in John Heitinga to guide them towards the Eredivisie title after sacking Alfred Schreuder last month.

The Dutch giants are struggling to mount a dominant defence of their league crown this term, slumping to fifth in the table before back-to-back wins under their interim boss.

Entrusted with the role until the end of the season, Heitinga has kick-started De Godenzonen's season and they now sit three points behind leaders Feyenoord with 14 matches to play.

Ahead of their KNVB Cup last-16 tie at Twente tonight, we take a look at the Amsterdam outfit in more detail.

Dire straits

Ajax's performances in the first half of the season were unacceptable and uninspiring for so many reasons, a feeling that fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena are not used to.

The 1-1 draw at home to Volendam in late January was their sixth in a row and proved to be the final straw for Schreuder who had replaced Erik ten Hag last summer.

At the time of his dismissal, the club were winless in their last seven league games for the first time since 1965.

Further to their domestic plight, an underwhelming Champions League campaign — punctuated by heavy home losses to Napoli and Liverpool — saw the 2018-19 semi-finalists tumble into the Europa League.

Broken at the top

Discontent was much more deep-rooted that simply grievances towards Schreuder, however.

Criticism was also pointed towards chief executive Edwin van der Sar, who had sanctioned the summer sales of Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Sebastien Haller and Ryan Gravenberch to European rivals.

Ex-Manchester United keeper Van der Sar, 52, referenced the transfer policy on firing Schreuder, but shielded himself from the blame.

He said: "Regardless of the many transfers that took place, we consider the squad fit for a championship.

"We lost a lot of points over the last few weeks and sadly saw a lack of progression."

"The football itself was precarious too. It became clear to us that he could not change the tide."

Hope for Heitinga

Despite issues both on the pitch and in the boardroom, Heitinga's appointment has offered a shift in momentum.

Ajax have scored as many goals in two games (nine) as they did in their last six matches under Schreuder.

The ex-Ajax and Everton defender, 39, who was previously coaching the club's Under-23s team, explained his approach following Sunday's 5-0 victory at Cambuur.

He said: "I think I have the Ajax DNA, which I hopefully can translate to the group.

"We have to be good in small spaces and stay focused.

"Healthy competition is important. We need to create self-confidence."

Fighting talk

Despite many departures, Ajax undoubtedly retain an impressive array of attacking talent.

No9 Brian Brobbey has 10 league goals to his name this term, but has found himself on the bench for Heitinga's first two games, with the temporary boss instead preferring a fluid front three of Steven Bergwijn, Dusan Tadic and Mohammed Kudus.

In midfield, Steven Berghuis has 12 goal contributions while highly-rated Dutch international Jurrien Timber and reportedly Premier League-bound Edson Alvarez offer defensive solidity.

And Van der Sar is confident Heitinga has the weapons at his disposal to deliver trophies this term.

He said: "We are convinced that this is the right solution.

"John is on a clear and steady path, which has resulted in him developing himself very well over the years.

"The team now has to win, work on their confidence, and develop themselves further. We still have a lot to fight for this season."

Plenty to play for

Should they book their place in the KNVB Cup quarter-finals, Ajax can then turn their attention back to league action against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday.

But the first stern test of Heitinga's credentials will come in the Europa League knockout round play-off tie against Union Berlin next week.

The Bundesliga outfit will be no pushover, sitting second in the German top flight with notable victories over RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund to their name already this term.

A crunch Eredivisie clash with Feyenoord lies in wait on March 19 before the international break, by which time Van der Sar will have a clear indication as to whether Heitinga is a viable long-term appointment.

An intriguing few weeks are in store for the Dutch giants and an opportunity to put a troubled chapter in the club's history behind them.