Liverpool boss Arne Slot has seen his assistant, John Heitinga, leave for Ajax and three individuals are being considered as his replacement with a former Red among them
Arne Slot's assistant Johnny Heitinga will move on this summer
Arne Slot's assistant Johnny Heitinga will move on this summer(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is on the lookout for a new assistant at Anfield with Dirk Kuyt among the three names being considered. The Dutchman has just lost one of his key lieutenants with John Heitinga leaving to take the top job at Ajax.
Heitinga has been alongside Slot in the dugout as Liverpool romped to the Premier League title in dominant fashion, but will now head back to Amsterdam. As a result, the Merseysiders are having to find a new addition to their coaching staff.
Kuyt, who played for Liverpool for six years, has been shortlisted. The former striker, who played in a Champions League final with the Reds, is expected to leave his role as Beerschot manager in the coming weeks after their relegation from the Belgian top flight.
Others being considered are those who Slot knows from his previous jobs. Marino Pusic was assistant to Slot at both AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord and has just left his post as Shakhtar Donetsk manager. Only last year he won the domestic double in and followed that up by landing the Ukrainian Cup this season.
The Liverpool Echo also reports that Etienne Reijnen is under consideration. He is the current Feyenoord assistant coach and had been expected to follow Slot last summer until the move was hampered due to work permit issues.
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Despite the upheaval to the coaching staff, Slot had backed Ajax to go after the man who had been his assistant. Only last week he was asked about reports that Ajax were considering a move for Heitinga and said: "If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him. He is ready to take on a job like that. If John is smart, he would stay one more season."
Ajax have been after a new boss after Francesco Farioli stepped down at the end of the season. The Dutch side's dramatic collapse in the final weeks saw them surrender a nine-point lead in the final five games to lose the Eredivise title to PSV.
Dirk Kuyt is being considered as a new No 2 at Anfield
Dirk Kuyt is being considered as a new No 2 at Anfield
Heitinga said on his move: “I had a fantastic year there (at Liverpool). Winning the league was the crown to our work. But the conversations I had with Alex [Kroes, technical director] and Marijn [Beuker, director of football], and the idea behind it all, made me very excited to start here."
Liverpool have made a Dutchman their first signing of the summer after confirming the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. The Reds paid his release clause and the former Manchester City and Celtic full-back will now serve as Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement.
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