Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been confirmed as Arne Slot's assistant coach
The former Arsenal and Barcelona star replaces countryman John Heitinga
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By ADAM POGRUND
Published: 11:56 EDT, 2 July 2025 | Updated: 11:56 EDT, 2 July 2025
Former Arsenal star and Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst has joined Liverpool as Arne Slot's assistant coach.
Despite romping to the Premier League title in April, Slot has overseen a major reshuffle behind the scenes at Anfield this summer as he looks to refresh his side ahead of next season.
As well as signing Bayer Leverkusen stars Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool have now appointed Van Bronckhorst as Slot's deputy.
The 50-year-old, who has managed Rangers, Besiktas and Feyenoord, will join the Reds subject to receiving a visa and will replace John Heitinga, who took the head coach role at Ajax.
The former left-back is returning to the Premier League where he spent two seasons at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, winning the league in 2002.
But the Dutchman, who was made 106 international appearances in a 17-year career, is more fondly remembered for his stint at Barcelona.
Giovanni von Bronckhorst joins Liverpool after being named as Arne Slot's assistant coach
The Dutchman led Rangers to the Europa League Final and most recently managed Besiktas
He spent two seasons under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, winning the Premier League in 2002
He retired after reaching the World Cup final in 2010 before moving into coaching, first with an academy role at Feyenoord, where he ended his playing career.
Van Bronckhorst won the Eredivisie in 2017 and two Dutch domestic cups before moving to Chinese side Guangzhou City FC.
He later took Rangers to the Europa League final before being dismissed in November 2022.
Liverpool's new assistant coach was sacked from Besiktas after just five months in December and has since been working as a UEFA analyst.
Meanwhile, Xavi Valero rejoins Liverpool as the head of first-team goalkeeper coaching, having spent seven years with West Ham.
The Spanish coach originally joined the Reds under Rafael Benitez in 2007, remaining under him at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Napoli.
Slot's side romped to the Premier League title but they are undergoing a summer of change
Goalkeeping coach and legendary Brazilian keeper Claudio Taffarel is leaving after four years
The coaching reshuffle is part of a freshening up at Anfield, with Wirtz and Frimpong signed
While goalkeeping coaches Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel are leaving Merseyside.
Otte's lone season as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching saw Liverpool win the league, while Brazilian legend Taffarel departs after four years.