Urby Emanuelson will become the third assistant to coach John Heitinga at Ajax. The former player of the Amsterdam club has confirmed the news to Ziggo Sport. He will not be on the bench during matches.
Emanuelson has not yet signed, but says he has an agreement with Ajax. The former international will sign for two years. He has been assistant coach at Jong Ajax for the past two seasons.
“This is a very nice challenge for me,” says Emanuelson, who is currently present as a TV analyst at the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia. The seventeen-time Orange international will be Heitinga’s third assistant after Marcel Keizer and Frank Peereboom.
“I spoke to Heitinga a few weeks ago and again last Monday. My task is to develop the individual. I am close to the players. I am the key between the coaches and the players.”
The 39-year-old Emanuelson does not yet have the required diplomas to be allowed to sit on the bench. “I sit in the stands during matches, but I am in contact with the staff on the bench. I am still working on getting my papers.”
Emanuelson went through Ajax’s youth academy and played for the club’s first team from 2004 to 2011. He also played for AC Milan, Fulham, AS Roma, Atalanta, Hellas Verona, Sheffield Wednesday, FC Utrecht and Oranje.