Arne Slot is expected to push for John Heitinga’s return to Liverpool this summer, with current assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst wanted by Feyenoord.
Heitinga is currently out of work having left Tottenham soon after Thomas Frank’s sacking in February, after he was himself dismissed as head coach of Ajax in November.
That has led to speculation that the popular Dutchman could rejoin Liverpool as part of Slot’s backroom staff with changes planned.
Dutch journalist Mounir Boualin has now told SoccerNews’ Transfermind podcast that Slot wants the club to “go all out” to secure Heitinga’s return, as Van Bronckhorst courts interest from Feyenoord.
“Slot is very keen to have John Heitinga back, I understand,” he explained.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (R) and assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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“But Van Bronckhorst has to leave first; he is being mentioned in the corridors at Feyenoord [as next technical director]. Something is 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.”
It remains to be seen, however, if Slot will stay at Liverpool and, crucially, whether Heitinga would even be open to returning.
Will John Heitinga want to return to Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 8, 2025: Liverpool's assistant coach John Heitinga during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Boualin continued: “He’s kind of wavering between several thoughts, because he still feels a bit inclined to just become a head coach again.
“From what I understood, there are also quite a few clubs that have inquired about him. So he’s kind of wavering between two thoughts.
“Should he go back to the familiar at Liverpool to work with Arne Slot? He was also very much appreciated at Liverpool there, by the fans too.
“Is he going to do that again, or is he going to let that gut feeling that he thinks about being a head coach keep gnawing at him again: ‘I want revenge, I want to show that I do have it in me to be a head coach’?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot with assistant coach John Heitinga (R) during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Bologna FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It depends on what comes along in terms of an offer, of course.
“So it’s going to be interesting in the near future to see what choice he makes in that regard. But Slot really wants him back, that is really obvious.”
Heitinga only spent a season at Liverpool but was pivotal to their success in winning the Premier League and was credited as a key influence in training.
If he were to return it would not only strengthen the staff significantly, but also serve as a major show of faith in Slot amid serious doubts over his position as head coach.
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