Giovanni van Bronckhorst is set to become the new manager of Feyenoord, with Arne Slot‘s ex-assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, joining him in Rotterdam.
Having left Liverpool when Slot was sacked, Van Bronckhorst and Hulshoff already have new jobs.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the “deal is done” for Van Bronckhorst to become Feyenoord’s next head coach, with Hulshoff to be his assistant and official announcement to come soon.
It is somewhat surprising to see Hulshoff take on the role of Van Bronckhorst’s assistant, having been the former player’s senior at Liverpool.
It also means a split from Slot, whom he has assisted over the last four years at Feyenoord and Liverpool.
Van Bronckhorst returns to management
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)
Van Bronkhorst will become Feyenoord’s third permanent manager since Slot left for Liverpool in the summer of 2024.
The coach, who replaced John Heitinga as an assistant at Anfield last summer, takes Robin Van Persie’s job after the former striker was sacked following a 58-match stint.
Feyenoord won 30, lost 19 and drew nine times during Van Persie’s reign. He took over from Slot’s original replacement, Brian Priske, who lasted just eight months in the job.
It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to see Van Bronckhorst take the job; it was always suspected that his assistant role at Liverpool would be followed by a return to management.
He took charge at De Kuip for four years, from 2015 until 2019, before spending time as manager of Guangzhou City, Rangers and Besiktas.
Van Bronckhorst also made 249 appearances for Feyenoord, as well as playing 154 games for Barcelona, 116 for Rangers and 54 for Arsenal.
More to follow.