Ajax sacks head coach Maurice Steijn with immediate effect after dragging the Dutch giants into relegation zone

Ajax have sacked head coach Maurice Steijn with the club sitting second-bottom in the Eredivisie.

The Dutch giants were beaten 4-3 at Utrecht on Sunday, a fourth league defeat of the season which has left them with just five points from their opening seven games.

Their poor form means Ajax, who have won a record 36 league titles in their history, sit 17th in the relegation zone.

A club statement 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. Steijn (Den Haag, November 20, 1973) transferred from Sparta Rotterdam to Ajax this summer and signed a contract until June 30, 2026.”

Ajax’s managerial change comes just three days before they face Brighton in the Europa League at the Amex Stadium.

Ajax chief executive Jan van Halst said: “We have worked intensely and professionally together over the last few months. But the sportive 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.”

Steijn told the club’s official website: “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.”