Liverpool Training and Press Conference
Arne Slot is looking for a new assitant manager (Picture: Getty Images)
A romantic return to Liverpool for cult hero Dirk Kuyt has been ruled out by his agent, although the former Reds forward would love to go back to Anfield.
The 44-year-old joined the Reds from Feyenoord in 2006 and would go on to spend six seasons as a regular in the first team.
The forward made 285 appearances in all competitions, netting 71 times, with 51 of those goals coming in the Premier League.
Kuyt played with some legendary Liverpool figures, but it was not an era laden with silverware and the Dutchman left in 2012 with just one League Cup to his name.
He has now moved into management, briefly taking charge of Dutch side ADO Den Haag in 2022 and having been the boss of Belgian outfit Beerschot since 2023.
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After the departure of Liverpool assistant John Heitinga for Ajax this summer, Kuyt had been linked with a return to Anfield as Arne Slot’s new assistant.
However, his agent, Rob Jansen, has dismissed that prospect, although he does feel that Kuyt would love the opportunity if it did arise.
FBL-BEL-PROLEAGUE-KORTRIJK-BEERSCHOT
Dirk Kuyt had a tough season as Beerschot boss (Picture: Getty Images)
‘No, it will be a different assistant coach. That would have been great for him,’ Jansen told podcast KieftJansenEgmondGijp, via Voetbal Primeur.
‘The assistant of Liverpool will be someone else. It would have been great for Dirk.
‘He would have loved to go to Liverpool. Assistant there is of course a serious level.’
Liverpool v Cardiff City - Carling Cup Final
Kuyt scored in the League Cup final in 2012 as Liverpool beat Cardiff (Picture: Getty Images)
Kuyt took Beerschot into the Belgian top flight in his first season in charge but things did not go well in the most recent campaign and relegation followed.
Reports in the Belgian media suggest Kuyt is likely to lose his job after a return to the Challenger Pro League.
Kuyt said earlier this year that Slot has already offered him the chance to be his assistant in the past.
Speaking to That Peter Crouch Podcast, he said of Slot: ‘I know him very well. I had the opportunity when I retired from football to become his assistant at AZ.
‘I didn’t choose to become his assistant which I regret of course now! But when he was at Feyenoord he gave me the opportunity to work a week alongside him to see how he’s training and preparing for a game, so that was really interesting and of course I follow him very closely.’
PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8
John Heitinga has left Liverpool to become Ajax manager (Picture: Getty Images)
Slot will name a new assistant this summer, but who it will be is yet to become clear.
The Liverpool Echo has touted the possibilities of Marino Pusic, who was Slot’s assistant in previous roles at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
The Bosnian left his role as manager of Shakhtar Donetsk in May, so is available.
Current Feyenoord assistant Etienne Reijnen has also been noted as a possibility as he was linked last year but could not move to Liverpool due to problems with his work permit.
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