Liverpool is “lining up” Dirk Kuyt to replace John Heitinga as assistant coach, according to reports.
Heitinga is set to join Ajax this summer and replace Francesco Farioli as head coach, a little over two years after he departed the Amsterdam club. After 12 months at West Ham United working under David Moyes, Heitinga then joined his compatriot Arne Slot at Liverpool last summer.
He is now set to return to Ajax, leaving Slot with just one assistant in Sipke Hulshoff. A replacement is needed, and as per Football Insider, Kuyt may be the answer.
The outlet claims that Slot believes appointing someone with an attacking mindset aligns with his philosophy.
Kuyt, the former Liverpool forward, has been managing in Belgian second-tier side Beerschot and guided it to promotion in 2023/24.
His other managerial stint, in charge of ADO Den Haag, was less successful. Kuyt lasted less than five months and left the club sitting in 17th place in the Dutch second tier.
The 44-year-old played 285 times for Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, scoring 71 goals. During his distinguished career, Kuyt also earned over 100 international caps for the Netherlands.
Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt was back at Anfield in March to play in the legends' game.
He was back at Anfield in March for the legends’ game against Chelsea and has always been a firm favorite among the fans. His personal highlights from his time at Liverpool included a hat-trick against Manchester United and a goal in the 2007 Champions League final against AC Milan.
Kuyt won the League Cup in 2012, the only piece of silverware he collected during his time at Anfield.
He has also spoken glowingly of Slot in recent months. “For Arne to win the Premier League in his first season in charge will be something no one will ever forget,” Kuyt told The Athletic in March.
Dirk Kuyt celebrates scoring
Dirk Kuyt was Liverpool's top scorer in 2010/11 with 15 goals in all competitions. (Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
“It took such a long time for Liverpool to win the championship. And then when it happened last time it was a bad time for people all over the world, but especially for Liverpool supporters because they couldn’t enjoy the success properly.
“I was really happy when Arne joined Liverpool because I knew what he was capable of after doing so well at Feyenoord,” he added.
“But nobody expected it to go this well, besides maybe Arne himself. He’s managed to build on Jurgen’s achievements and do it his way.
“Yes, he inherited a good squad but how he got the team playing the way he wants so quickly was unbelievable. He’s made Premier League games look easy at times.”