Liverpool coach John Heitinga is in talks over a possible return to Ajax.

Heitinga became part of the backroom setup last summer and played a key role in the club’s Premier League success during Arne Slot’s debut season.

The ex-defender is a popular figure in the dressing room and even oversaw matters from the touchline for two matches while Slot served a suspension.

But Heitinga has now been given permission by the Reds to discuss the prospect of taking the reins at Ajax following Francesco Farioli’s resignation.

Liverpool grant popular coach approval to take Ajax manager job	Liverpool coach John Heitinga in talks over Ajax managerial vacancy	Liverpool coach John Heitinga agrees Ajax deal with Arne Slot to lose key cog

He remains highly regarded by the Eredivisie giants after coaching the club’s youth team for two years before a temporary spell of the senior side in 2023.

If appointed, the 41-year-old is expected to enlist his former Jong Ajax deputy Marcel Keizer to work alongside him in the latest step of his coaching journey.

Farioli stepped down from the Amsterdam outfit earlier this month as they were pipped to the Dutch title by rivals PSV Eindhoven by a solitary point.