Ajax parts ways with manager Maurice Steijn, appoints former player as caretaker

Dutch football club Ajax has officially terminated their contract with manager Maurice Steijn following a 4-3 league loss to Utrecht over the weekend. This defeat marked Ajax’s eighth consecutive match without a win, with five of those games resulting in losses.

In a statement released on Monday, the club confirmed the separation, stating, “Ajax and Maurice Steijn will part ways with immediate effect. The club management and Steijn have agreed that the coach will step down from his position.”

Maurice Steijn had joined Ajax from Sparta Rotterdam in June on a three-year contract. However, the string of poor results, which left the club in 17th place on the league table with only five points from seven matches, ultimately led to his early departure.

In his farewell statement, Steijn commented, “This morning, I sat down with the board, and we continued our talks later this afternoon. We came to the conclusion that this is what is best for Ajax, although I regret that.”

He added, “Everyone who knows me knows I have done everything to take Ajax back to the place where this club belongs. But I failed to do so. I want to thank the supporters and the people I have worked with here, and I hope Ajax will find its way up again soon.”

Ajax has appointed former player Hedwiges Maduro as the caretaker manager, who will hold the position until a permanent replacement is announced. Maduro had previously served as an assistant coach at the club.