Liverpool manager Arne Slot wants John Heitinga to return to the Premier League side.
The former Everton and Fulham centre-back joined Liverpool as the Dutchman’s assistant in July 2024.
Heitinga left the Merseyside club to become Ajax head coach in July 2025. However, his time at the Eredivisie side came to an end in November, after managing 15 matches.
Heitinga moved to Tottenham Hotspur in January as Thomas Frank’s assistant. A month later, Spurs parted ways with the Dane and the Dutchman then followed him to the exit door.
Following Heitinga’s Anfield exit, Slot brought in Giovanni van Bronckhorst as his assistant at Liverpool.
There’s been claims of Feyenoord interest in the latter and if he were to leave the Reds, their manager wants them to bring the former coach back to the club.
Slot opens Liverpool door
Soccer News report John Heitinga is ‘on the verge of returning’ to Liverpool after Arne Slot opened the Anfield door.
The outlet state a potential move depends on Giovanni van Bronckhorst leaving the English club. Their journalist Mounir Boualin provides more update on Soccer News’ show, Transfermind.
“I understand that Slot is very keen to have John Heitinga back,” he said.
“However, Van Bronckhorst has to leave first; he is being mentioned in the corridors in connection with Feyenoord. There is something going on there as well.”
“Should Van Bronckhorst go to Feyenoord, then according to Slot, Liverpool must go all out for Heitinga. He has already indicated this internally.”
Although Soccer News state the 42-year-old is on the verge of joining the Reds, Boualin insists he hasn’t made the final decision yet.
“Heitinga is torn between several options. He is still keen on becoming a head coach. I heard that a few clubs have already inquired about him,” Boualin explained.
Vandaag Inside cover more comments from the Soccer News journalist on this topic.
“So, he’s a bit torn: do I go back to the familiar Liverpool, or do I go with that gut feeling and the head coaching role. That keeps nagging at him. He wants to prove that he’s got what it takes,” he added.
“It’ll be interesting to see what choice Heitinga makes in the coming period. But it’s abundantly clear that Slot really wants him back.”
Slot and the Reds seem to be waiting for their former assistant’s final decision.
Another option not considered
Feyenoord assistant manager Etiënne Reijnen is also in running to become Arne Slot’s deputy at Liverpool.
Earlier this month, Feyenoord manger Robin van Perise said he will let Reijnen decide his future.
Mounir Boualin didn’t consider this option when discussing John Heitinga’s potential return to Anfield