Liverpool has identified the former Besiktas manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the leading contender to take over from John Heitinga on Arne Slot's coaching staff.
Van Bronckhorst, the former Arsenal and Barcelona defender, has also managed Rangers in the past and is a highly-regarded coach. Heitinga left Anfield to join Ajax earlier in the summer, and the search for a replacement has been ongoing.
Van Bronckhorst, 50, has also previously been in charge of Feyenoord, Slot's old club. He has a wealth of experience having played at the top level and been a coach at several different clubs around Europe, including working in UEFA's top competitions like the Champions League and the Europa League.
As first reported by The Times, it is understood that Van Bronckhorst is the top contender for the vacancy at Liverpool, though no deal is yet in place to bring him in. Liverpool returns for pre-season in the second week of July.
Van Bronckhorst made more than 400 senior appearances during his playing career which spanned some of the clubs he has since managed. He was at Feyenoord first, before joining Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona and then heading back to De Kuip.
As a coach, the former Dutch international spent four years with Feyenoord, where he won one league title and two cups. He then moved to China and later coached Rangers, who he took to the Europa League final.
Arne Slot during a Liverpool training session.
Arne Slot during a Liverpool training session. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Van Bronckhorst was in charge of the Turkish side Besiktas until November of last year.
His time there only lasted a few months and he was fired following defeat by the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League. In January, he was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Van Bronckhorst won a huge 106 caps for the Netherlands. He played alongside Heitinga in the World Cup final in 2010 and will now replace his former teammate in the Anfield dugout.
Earlier in the week, the agent of former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt ruled out his client as an option for the job.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
"No, it will be a different assistant coach," Kuyt's representative, Rob Jansen, told Sport Nieuws. "That would have been great for him. Liverpool’s assistant will be someone else."
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Liverpool.com will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story as they happen.
Follow @Liverpoolcom_ : The official Liverpool.com account for all the latest sports news as it happens in real time.
Follow us on Facebook or visit Liverpool.com homepage.