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.”
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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)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu has been ruled out of the remainder of Saturday’s wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams with a right knee injury.
Ekwonu went down on Carolina’s second possession holding his knee following a Rams sack and remained on the ground for several minutes as several players gathered around him on one knee.
Ekwonu eventually got up and walked off the field under his own power. But after being examined by the medical staff, he climbed onto the cart and headed to the locker room.
Yosh Nijman replaced Ekwonu at left tackle.
Not long after Ekwonu went down, Panthers right guard Robert Hunt headed to the blue medical tent with a pectoral injury, tossing his helmet in frustration as he reached the sideline.
Hunt had returned this week after missing 15 games with a torn triceps and was hoping to provide a boost to the running game.
Austin Corbett took over for Hunt, who was listed as questionable to return.
For the Rams, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon left with a shoulder injury in the second quarter and was also listed as questionable to return.
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Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) goes down with an injury during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
