AMSTERDAM (AP) — Ajax hired John Heitinga as head coach on Saturday to replace Francesco Farioli nearly two weeks after the Italian resigned following the team’s late-season collapse.
Heitinga, who had a spell as Ajax's interim manager in 2023, spent the past season as an assistant coach to Arne Slot at Liverpool, which won the Premier League title.
The 41-year-old former Ajax center-back came through the Dutch club's youth program and made more than 150 appearances for the team. He also played 4 1/2 seasons at Everton.
The former Dutch international takes over a team that finished second to PSV Eindhoven after squandering a nine-point lead in the Eredivisie title race.
“I am incredibly excited to start,” said Heitinga, who was an assistant at West Ham two seasons ago. “The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I’ve been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at two major clubs.”
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Amsterdam's head coach John Heitinga, center, after the Europa League playoff second leg soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Ajax Amsterdam in Berlin, Germany, Feb. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 32 points and eight rebounds, Stephen Curry warmed up in the second half to finish with 27 points and seven assists, and the Golden State Warriors beat the New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday night.
Moses Moody scored 21 points with seven 3-pointers for the Warriors, while Brandin Podziemski had 19 points.
Deuce McBride and OG Anunoby each scored 25 points and Mikal Bridges had 21 as New York lost for the seventh time in nine games. The Knicks were without Jalen Brunson because of a sprained right ankle suffered in a 112-101 loss at Sacramento a night earlier.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and a season-best 20 rebounds for New York. This has been a two-day reunion tour for Knicks first-year coach Mike Brown, fired by the Kings last season and also a former Warriors top assistant.
Curry missed his first four 3-point tries before connecting from deep with 9:44 left in the third quarter. It marked only the third time this season he didn't have a 3 in the first half and first since going 0 for 6 in the initial two quarters Dec. 22 against Orlando.
He scored five straight points midway through the fourth to give Golden State a 107-94 lead.
Moody shot 7 for 9 from deep for his sixth 20-point performance of the season, while Butler notched his second 30-point game in the last three and fifth overall. The Warriors had three scorers with 20 or more for the eighth time.
Draymond Green was issued a Flagrant 1 foul upon replay review with 11:01 left in the game for his trip of Towns from the floor.
Warriors reserve forward Gui Santos was helped off the court with 2:21 left in the first quarter after a collision with Josh Hart. Santos sprained his left ankle, with coach Steve Kerr and the medical staff rushing out to check on him at midcourt. Santos then limped to the locker room and didn't return.
Knicks: Host the Suns on Saturday night.
Warriors: Host the Hornets on Saturday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown gestures toward an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, rear, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson reacts after scoring and drawing a foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) reacts after making a 3-point basket in front of New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Referee James Williams, left, reacts as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) hugs New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball as forward Draymond Green (23) screens New York Knicks guard Miles McBride, middle, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
