Sander Westerveld has insisted that Liverpool should not consider club legend Steven Gerrard as a replacement for assistant coach John Heitinga, who recently took up the role of Ajax head coach— because there is another ideal candidate for the role.
Liverpool is currently on the hunt for a new assistant to replace the former Everton defender. Etienne Reijnen, Marino Pusic and ex-Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt are all among those said to be under consideration for the vacancy.
Gerrard, a Reds icon who coached the Liverpool U18s in the 2017/18 season, has been out of work since stepping down as Al Ettifaq manager in January 2025, departing the Saudi Pro League outfit after just under two years.
Despite rumors linking him with a return to Rangers, where he previously managed, Gerrard withdrew his candidacy before former Southampton boss Russell Martin was then appointed.
Westerveld, who played alongside Gerrard at Anfield for two and a half seasons, including during the Reds' treble-winning 2000/01 campaign, is also a friend of current Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, having been teammates together at Sparta Rotterdam.
Despite there being no current talk of Gerrard being considered to succeed Heitinga, Westerveld has advised Liverpool to bypass their former skipper when adding to Slot's coaching staff.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and assistant coach John Heitinga
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and assistant coach John Heitinga (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Instead, he suggests that Liverpool should bring Pusic back into the fold, who has previously worked as Slot's assistant at both AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
Speaking to FC Update about the pecking order for the manager's spot, Westerveld said: "I think that at the moment, with all due respect, Arne is number one and Sipke is number two.
"Slot will never say that, he will say that they are all one team. But then of course with Gerrard you have a name within the group that travels around the world, but perhaps also unintentionally attracts too much attention."
On the subject of Feyenoord's coaching set-up, he added confidently: "When I saw how Slot and Pusic worked together at Feyenoord, I think he is the perfect candidate. But I don't have to tell him that, he will decide that for himself."
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Pusic is now on the market after parting ways with Shakhtar Donetsk as manager, having achieved significant success including the domestic double in the 2023/24 season and adding this season's Ukrainian Cup to his accolades.
He made the move to Shakhtar after leaving Feyenoord in October 2023, and had previously managed FC Twente before working as an assistant to Arne Slot at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
Liverpool.com says: Getting the right person in will be vital for the next phase under Slot. Heitinga was a big part of the coaching staff, though it was always possible that he could move on given his ambitions to become the main man somewhere.