After reports of his former assistant plotting to make the move to Liverpool, Arne Slot has hinted at plans to add to his backroom staff.
While there remains conjecture among the supporter base as to whether Slot should see out the final year of his current contract, the club’s future continues to be discussed with him as part of it.
On Thursday, reports from the Netherlands claimed Etienne Reijnen “may be on the verge” of a move to Anfield, two years after work permit issues blocked him following Sipke Hulshoff and Ruben Peeters.
And, in his press conference, Slot ‘confirmed’ the club is on the lookout after parting with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs last year.
“I think we all know that we’ve lost a member of staff during the season,” Slot started. “We parted ways.
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“So I think it makes complete sense for this club if someone is leaving in a certain department, that you’re looking at a replacement.
“And in general, I think it makes sense for a club to not only look to improve, player-wise, but also staff-wise.
“We are always keeping our eyes open to improve the club. And that means that could be a player, but that could also be a staff member.
“We always look around to see where we can strengthen the club.”
Why Arne Slot would want set-piece coach Etienne Reijnen
2TKFPWK Rotterdam, Netherlands. 20th Dec, 2023. Rotterdam - Etienne Reijnen of Feyenoord during the match between Feyenoord v FC Utrecht at Stadion Feijenoord De Kuip on 20 December 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Credit: box to box pictures/Alamy Live News
Reijnen, 39, is a former centre-back who played alongside Slot at PEC Zwolle before joining his staff at Feyenoord in late 2023.
Reijnen acted as Slot’s analyst and technical advisor at the Dutch club, but after being denied a UK work permit, he remained at Feyenoord to work under manager Robin van Persie.
His role as an assistant sees him oversee set-pieces, of which Feyenoord have conceded only four this season compared to Liverpool’s 16.
Slot and Reijnen have a close relationship, having played 55 times together at Zwolle between 2009 and 2011 before reuniting at management level in the Eredivisie.
If Slot is to be backed by FSG for next season, as English reporters maintain, then another close ally to lean on will be beneficial, as will Reijnen’s work with set-pieces.
Liverpool have been without a designated set-piece coach since Briggs departed in December, with Slot’s backroom staff sharing responsibility alongside analyst Lewis Mahoney.
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