Arne Slot reportedly wants to reunite with Etienne Reijnen as part of a backroom reshuffle at Liverpool, and Robin van Persie says the decision is up to his assistant.
Reijnen was denied a move to Anfield when Slot was first appointed due to UK work permit issues, seeing him stay at Feyenoord and join Van Persie’s coaching staff.
He has been working on his coaching badges that would enable him to move to Liverpool, with reports from the Netherlands stating a switch now ‘beckons’ for the 39-year-old.
But Reijnen still reports to Van Persie, who was complimentary of his assistant as he addressed whether the set-piece coach would be leaving Feyenoord in the coming months.
“It is mainly up to the club and Etienne himself,” the former Arsenal striker told reporters, via Voetbal.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 28, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot on the bench before the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Qaraba? FK at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“What I can say is that I am very happy with his work. He is a fantastic person, who also fulfils his role very well.”
It is a positive review of a coach that could soon make the move to Anfield, should Slot be retained beyond the current campaign.
The head coach has been the subject of an enquiry from Ajax, but the report from the Netherlands suggests he is still planning for his third season at the helm.
It aligns with Slot ‘confirming‘ last week that the club is on the lookout for new coaching staff, after parting with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs last year.
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“I think it makes complete sense for this club if someone is leaving in a certain department, that you’re looking at a replacement,” he said.
“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.”
It was a nod to the growing links to his former assistant, whom he also played alongside at PEC Zwolle between 2009 and 2011, before they reunited at management level in 2023.
While Reijnen would address the set-piece coach need, there has also been speculation that assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst could leave to become technical director at Feyenoord.
With player exits and new signings to come, plus the question marks at coaching level, the summer will be another significant one for the club.