Despite Feyenoord appointing Club Brugge’s Devy Rigaux as technical director, Giovanni van Bronckhorst is reportedly still “a serious option” for the Dutch club.
With Dennis te Kloese departing his role as Feyenoord’s general director this summer, Liverpool assistant coach Van Bronckhorst was previously reported as being the leading candidate to replace him.
However, former AZ Alkmaar CEO Robert Eenhoorn and Club Brugge sporting director Rigaux are now set to join as general manager and technical director, respectively.
This may not completely rule out a move for Van Bronckhorst, though, with the Liverpool coach still being “approached to shape the technical policy,” according to Mikos Gouka of Algemeen Dagblad.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (R) and assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He suggested the offer is yet to be accepted by Bronckhorst, saying: “The camp of the current Liverpool assistant manager wants to know exactly what he will be doing in Rotterdam first and how much influence he will then have.”
Given Van Bronckhorst has previously managed Feyenoord for four years, as well as spending time in the dugout at Rangers and Besiktas, we can expect he will want a big say in happenings at De Kuip.
What Van Bronckhorst has said about a potential move
Back in March, the former Dutch international was asked about a possible return, to which he said: “I am having a great time at Liverpool. It is a fantastic club.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst on the pitch before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We’ll see what the future brings. Feyenoord will always remain special and connected to me.
“But at the moment I am simply enjoying what I do in England and for the Foundation, and that is very diverse.”
Quizzed directly about a move back to his old club, Van Bronckhorst replied: “Who knows what the future holds?”
Van Bronckhorst has only been at Liverpool for one year – he joined after coach John Heitinga’s departure last summer – but his acquisition was never expected to be a long-term appointment.
Etienne Reijnen could go in the other direction
2TKFPWK Rotterdam, Netherlands. 20th Dec, 2023. Rotterdam - Etienne Reijnen of Feyenoord during the match between Feyenoord v FC Utrecht at Stadion Feijenoord De Kuip on 20 December 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Credit: box to box pictures/Alamy Live News
Going in the other direction could be Slot’s former Feyenoord assistant, Etienne Reijnen, who was unable to join Liverpool in 2024 due to work permit problems.
Last month it was reported that Liverpool ‘beckoned‘ for Reijnen after he completed the necessary coaching badges to obtain a UK work permit.
Outgoing director Te Kloese, appears to have confirmed Reijnen will leave for abroad, according to FR-Fans.NL and FC Rotterdam.
“Etienne is very talented,” Kloese said. “That is also clear, because he doesn’t just go abroad to work for no reason.”
Given that Reijnen looks to be heading to Merseyside, is also an indicator that his compatriot, Slot, will be staying at Liverpool.