LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Ajax has made the decision to terminate the contract of head coach Maurice Steijn as the club currently finds itself second-bottom in the Eredivisie.
The Dutch powerhouse suffered a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Utrecht, marking their fourth league loss of the season and leaving them with only five points from seven games.
This poor performance has pushed Ajax down to 17th place, in the relegation zone.
A statement from the club read, “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.
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“Steijn (Den Haag, November 20, 1973) transferred from Sparta Rotterdam to Ajax this summer and signed a contract until June 30, 2026.”
Ajax’s decision to part ways with Steijn comes just days before they are set to face Brighton in the Europa League at the Amex Stadium.
Ajax chief executive Jan van Halst explained, “We have worked intensely and professionally together over the last few months.
“But the sporting successes and the team’s development were lacking. That is why we decided to sit down together again today.
“This time, Maurice also expressed his concerns about whether he was the right fit for the job.
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“Together, we decided that it would be best to part ways. Hedwiges Maduro will take over for the interim period.”
Steijn expressed his thoughts, stating, “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. 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.”
