The Liverpool playing squad looks set to undergo some fairly radical changes ahead of next season.
It has been a phenomenal campaign at Anfield, with the Reds now just days away from finally lifting the Premier League trophy.
However, once the ticker tape has settled on Merseyside, Arne Slot is set to get straight to work on repeating the trick next year.
In order to do that, some big players will have to leave Liverpool, with newer, better ones coming in to replace them.
But it is not just the players who may face some changes between May and August. There could also be an exit in the Liverpool coaching staff.
It may have gone under the radar for the final months of the season, but there surely remains a very real chance that John Heitinga could make the step from Liverpool assistant to main man this summer.
Photo by Dennis Bresser/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Dennis Bresser/Soccrates/Getty Images
John Heitinga could leave Liverpool
Heitinga was a slightly surprising appointment for Liverpool last summer. The 41-year-old is a former Everton player after all.
Nevertheless, Heitinga has shown his qualities, seamlessly stepping in as one of Slot’s most trusted coaches.
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Given the work he’s doing at Anfield and also the fact he’s a relatively high profile former player, the Dutchman unsurprisingly attracted the interest of several clubs over the winter period.
Championship sides West Brom and Stoke were both interested in appointing Heitinga in January, but he chose to see out the season and win the title with Liverpool.
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Farioli has decided to leave Ajax after careful consideration. The head coach has informed the club’s board of his decision.
Thanks for everything, Francesco! ♥️
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 19, 2025
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With that mission now accomplished, though, it would not be a shock to hear that other teams from England and across Europe are keeping tabs on Heitinga.
In fact, after Ajax manager Francesco Farioli left his position at Ajax this weekend, Liverpool fans may be wise to start saying their goodbyes to ‘Johnny.’
Ajax could appoint Heitinga
Heitinga is no stranger to Ajax. As well as coming through the club as a youth player, the World Cup finalist was also put in temporary charge of the Amsterdam side in January 2023 and stayed until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Heitinga steered Ajax to third place in the Eredivisie and also made it to the KNVB cup final, which they lost on penalties to PSV.
The Reds coach certainly made an impression during his brief stint, and Slot has suggested Ajax made a mistake by not appointing Heitinga permanently in 2023.
Mohammed Kudus was a fan of Heitinga too, with the Ghanaian claiming Liverpool’s number two was the best coach he has worked with during his career.
With Ajax now in need of a new permanent coach once again, it would not be a surprise to see them rectify their mistake and turn to Heitinga this time. Liverpool may have to prepare themselves and find a suitable replacement.