The recent football meeting between Ajax and PSV, which ended with a score of 2-2, sparked an intense debate in Studio Voetbal, going beyond the simple story of the match. Attention was drawn to the behaviour of John Heiitinga, the Ajax coach, at the press conference that followed. By refusing to respond substantially to a question asked by the press, Heiitinga attracted a sharp criticism, notably from personalities like Theo Janssen. The question in question was about Woout Weghorst, Ajax player absent from the game due to an injury, and the fact that he became coach’s second choice after Kasper Dolberg. Heiitinga’s reply, which was considered short and disinterested, was particularly annoying to observers.

The reaction of Heiitinga was seen as condescending by commentators. Journalist Marcel van Roosmaleen described his answer as “tutelleuse” and criticized the coach for unnecessarily lowering the journalist, stressing that the question asked was simple and friendly. Theo Janssen also expressed strong criticism that a coach should be able to answer the same frequently asked questions. He criticized Heittinga’s lack of user-friendliness and accessibility during his public appearances, comparing him to a robot that seems to need to “incubate” his answers before saying them.

Pierre van Hooijdonk questioned the importance attached to media appearances in relation to Heiitinga’s coaching qualities. However, Theo Janssen remains firm in his opinion, arguing that most current coaches are more prowess figures used to promote their clubs than field professionals. According to Janssen, John Heiitinga does not match the image of a competent and accessible coach.