Erik ten Hag tipped for surprise Eredivisie return in January after Bayer Leverkusen sacking as pressure grows on ex-Liverpool assistant John Heitinga at Ajax

According to De Telegraaf,Ten Hag is open to returning to Ajax in January, with the club considering him as ex-Liverpool assistant Heitinga struggles to convince. The Amsterdam side have endured a poor start to the season, dropping points in the Eredivisie and suffering heavy defeats in Europe.

Pressure on Heitinga reached new heights after Ajax’s record-equalling 4-0 defeat to Marseille in the Champions League. While the board are holding off on a dismissal for now, fan unrest and disappointing displays have raised serious doubts about his long-term future in the dugout.

The 55-year-old's recent spell at Leverkusen ended abruptly after just two games, as the Bundesliga side opted to cut ties following Xabi Alonso’s departure. The Dutchman reportedly struggled to adjust to the squad and immediate expectations at the BayArena, leading to his quick exit. His severance package, reportedly over €6 million, complicates matters slightly, but a January return to Ajax appears increasingly likely if the club can hold out until the winter break.

Ten Hag’s previous tenure at Ajax (2018-2022) was highly successful, winning three Eredivisie titles and taking the club to the Champions League semi-final in 2019, a run that included navigating through the preliminary rounds. His familiarity with the club’s culture, youth development, and tactical philosophy makes him the ideal candidate to steady a floundering squad.

Ajax must first navigate the coming months under Heitinga, hoping to stabilise results before January. For Ten Hag, a second spell in Amsterdam could represent a chance to restore his reputation, having previously led Ajax to domestic dominance and European recognition.