Ajax have confirmed that they appointed John van't Schip as the club's head coach until the end of the season.

The Dutch giants are currently enduring their worst-ever start to a season in their history on the back of selling a number of their key men during the summer.

Maurice Steijn was tasked with the job of rebuilding a new squad, but he lasted just 11 matches having recorded only two wins, one of which came in the Europa League qualifiers.

As a result, Steijn was removed from his position in charge at the start of last week, with Hedwiges Maduro being handed the reins on a temporary basis.

However, subsequent defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and PSV Eindhoven - leaving Ajax at the bottom of the Eredivisie standings - have led to club officials bringing in Van't Schip on a contract until the conclusion of 2023-24.

© Reuters

Van't Schip is no stranger to the Amsterdam giants having spent over a decade of his playing days at the club as assistant and youth coach since hanging up his boots.

The 59-year-old's last stint came between 2008 and 2010, but he has since spend time abroad with the likes of Guadalajara and Melbourne City.

A period with Dutch club PEC Zwolle preceded his time on the international scene with Greece, with whom he recorded 11 wins and just six defeats during a 26-game spell.

Speaking to the club's official website, Van't Schip said: "I am happy that it has been completed and I am very much looking forward to starting at the club where it all started for me.

"From the conversations I have had with everyone involved about this, I have a very good feeling left. Ajax must quickly take the sporting path upwards and I am happy to contribute to that."

Van't Schip's first fixture in charge will be the Eredivisie showdown with FC Volendam - a team that sits just two points ahead of Ajax in the table - on Thursday.