Heitinga enjoyed a positive spell as interim coach of the Eredivisie giants in 2023, winning 11 of his 16 league games in charge (D2 L3), but he did not have the same success in the permanent role this season. After being appointed in May 2025, Heitinga won just five of his 11 league matches (D5 L1), averaging just 1.82 points per game before getting sacked in November.
On the day after Christmas, the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired their replacement for the recently fired assistant coach Marc Savard and it's someone that was already in the organization. Announced by the team on Friday morning, the Maple Leafs have hired Steve Sullivan to fill the hole that Savard left on the bench. There has been no clarification if he will handle the power play like Savard did, or other assistant coach Derek LaLonde will remain in that role for the man advantage.
We are all delighted that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching set-up. Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.