Ajax have parted company with head coach Maurice Steijn after 11 games in charge.
The 36-time Dutch champions sit second from bottom in Eredivisie after taking five points from their opening seven league games.
Steijn joined the club from Sparta Rotterdam in June 2023 following the departure of Johnny Heitinga and signed a contract until 2026, but won just two of his 11 games in charge.
Assistant coach Hedwiges Maduro has been placed in caretaker charge.
Steijn said: “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.”
Ajax chief executive Jan van Halst said: “We have worked intensely and professionally together over the last few months. But the sporting successes and the development of the team were lacking. That is why we decided to sit down together again today. This time, Maurice also expressed his concerns on whether he was the right man in the right place. Together, we decided that it would be best to part ways. Hedwiges Maduro will do the honours for the coming period.”
Ajax return to action on Thursday when they face Brighton in the Europa League group stages.
GO DEEPER
How Ajax imploded
_ (Photo: NESimages/Raymond Smit/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)_
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