Liverpool are on the lookout for a new assistant coach this summer after seeing John Heitinga reach an agreement with Ajax.

Heitinga joined the Reds last year having previously been a player for half a decade at Everton.

But having had his eyes set on a head coach role, Heitinga will now join Ajax for the 2025/26 campaign.

That will leave Arne Slot one man short in the Liverpool coaching staff, with a deputy needed for first assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

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Liverpool could appoint Marino Pusic, Slot and Hulshoff’s former colleague at Feyenoord, or perhaps they will go down a different route altogether.

As fans debate who would be the best person to bring in, it turns out that Slot has already offered an assistant job to a former Liverpool player in the past.

Photo by Dennis Bresser/Soccrates/Getty Images

It remains to be seen exactly how big an impact Heitinga’s departure has on Liverpool.

But it is clear that he does need replacing.

And as fans begin to do their research on who is available, they would be wise to take into account some comments made by former attacker Dirk Kuyt.

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Kuyt, who is currently in charge at recently-relegated Belgian top division side Beerschot, spoke to Peter Crouch in April to confirm that he was offered the chance to join Slot at AZ Alkmaar.

“I know him very well,” Kuyt told That Peter Crouch Podcast.

“I had the opportunity when I retired from football to become his assistant at AZ.”

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“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.”

Of course, Kuyt knowing Slot well and having been offered a job by him in the past is no indication that he will be in line to join in place of Heitinga.

However, continuing his conversation with Crouch, the 44-year-old did admit that he was keen to return to England as a coach.

“You have to be a little bit crazy to be in the job because it takes so much of you time but I’m addicted to football, I love the game and I love to be a coach,” said Kuyt.

“So, hopefully I can develop myself more to one day be back here in this country.”

Given all of the links between Slot, Kuyt and Liverpool, we certainly would not rule out an Anfield return this summer.
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