By LEWIS STEELE and WILL GRIFFEE
Published: 12:20 EDT, 12 June 2025 | Updated: 12:26 EDT, 12 June 2025
Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a leading candidate to join Arne Slot’s staff following departure of Johnny Heitinga to Ajax.
Van Bronckhorst, 50, who has managed Feyenoord, Rangers and Besiktas, was sacked by the Turkish club in November last year.
He could now join the Premier League champions on Arne Slot's backroom staff.
Van Bronckhorst's playing career was a decorated one, with the winning a Premier League title at Arsenal, two La Liga crowns at Barcelona and also a Champions League.
He was also runner-up with the Netherlands at the World Cup in 2010 and capped 106 times for his country.
Replacing Heitinga will be no easy task for Van Bronckhorst if indeed he does take up the role of Slot's second in command.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a leading candidate to take over as Liverpool No 2
Heitinga was liked and respected by the squad and the 41-year-old has now returned to Amsterdam for the fourth time, having enjoyed two spells at the club as a player and a brief stint in charge of the senior side in 2023.
He agreed a two-year contract and replaces Francesco Farioli, who departed the club after a single season in charge.
More to follow...