John Heitinga Liverpool return edges closer as Arne Slot pushes for reunion

Dutch coach to rejoin his staff at Anfield. The former assistant left the club less than a year ago, but fresh developments suggest the door has reopened — and Slot is keen to make it happen.

According to Dutch outlet Soccer News, Liverpool are actively considering bringing Heitinga back if Giovanni van Bronckhorst leaves his current assistant role amid interest from Feyenoord.

That scenario would create an opening Slot already appears to have a clear preference for filling.

Heitinga originally joined Liverpool in July 2024 as Slot’s assistant following the Dutch manager’s arrival. His role was seen as an important part of the early transition under Slot, bringing tactical familiarity and strong coaching chemistry.

But in July 2025, Heitinga left Anfield to take over as Ajax head coach — a move viewed as a natural next step in his managerial journey.

That spell, however, was short-lived.

After just 15 matches in charge, Ajax dismissed him in November 2025. He later resurfaced in January 2026 as Thomas Frank’s assistant at Tottenham Hotspur, only for that partnership to end a month later when Spurs made coaching changes.

Now, Liverpool could offer him a route back into elite-level coaching.

The key issue now is not Liverpool’s interest — it’s whether Heitinga wants to return.

Reports suggest the 42-year-old is weighing up multiple opportunities, including offers that would allow him to remain a head coach rather than stepping back into an assistant role.

That internal dilemma appears to be shaping the timeline.

Having followed managerial movements closely this season, returning to Liverpool would offer stability and elite-level exposure, but it would also mean putting personal managerial ambitions on hold again.

However, much will depend on the quality of head coach opportunities available over the coming weeks.

Strong relationships inside coaching structures often matter more than they appear externally. Slot and Heitinga worked closely together during Liverpool’s transition after Jürgen Klopp’s exit, and familiarity can be crucial during high-pressure periods.

For Liverpool, continuity behind the scenes could be especially important heading into another demanding season.

While Feyenoord assistant Etiënne Reijnen has also been mentioned as a possible option, current reporting strongly points towards Heitinga as Slot’s preferred choice.

That makes the next decision firmly his.

Liverpool’s next move may depend entirely on developments at Feyenoord. If Van Bronckhorst departs, the path for Heitinga becomes much clearer and discussions could accelerate quickly.

For Heitinga, the decision is bigger than simply returning to Anfield. It’s about choosing between immediate top-level involvement in a title-chasing environment or continuing the pursuit of his own managerial identity elsewhere.

That decision is expected in the coming weeks.