Arne Slot chooses former Arsenal and Barcelona star as new Liverpool assistant
Arne Slot is set to bring in former Arsenal, Barcelona and Rangers defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst as his new assistant at Liverpool.
John Heitinga had been in the role as the Reds won the Premier League title last season but he has left to take charge of Ajax.
A number of names have been linked with replacing Heitinga, including Liverpool cult hero Dirk Kuyt, but it appears Slot's search is at an end.
The Times report that Van Bronckhorst is close to being appointed at Anfield where he will join Slot's backroom staff.
It appears something of a coup for Liverpool to get the 50-year-old in as a coach as Van Bronckhorst has already held some high profile jobs as a manager.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
After two spells there as a player he started his managerial career with Feyenoord in 2015 and won the Eredivisie in 2017.
Van Bronckhorst spent four years in charge of the Dutch side, but his time with clubs since then has been much shorter.
A short stint in China with Guangzhou R&F was followed by a year with Rangers and then just 20 games in charge of Besiktas in 2024.
The versatile defender and midfielder had a brilliant playing career, winning 106 caps for Netherlands.
He won the Premier League with Arsenal, two La Liga titles with Barcelona and two Scottish Premier League titles with Rangers.
Feyenoord – May 2015 – May 2019
Games: 176 Won: 107 Drawn: 26 Lost: 43
Trophies: Eredivisie 2016-17, KNVB Cup 2015-16 & 2017-18
Guangzhou R&F – January 2020 – December 2020
Games: 23 Won: 7 Drawn: 6 Lost: 10
Rangers – November 2021 – November 2022
Games: 68 Won: 42 Drawn: 12 Lost: 14
Trophies: Scottish Cup 2021-22
Besiktas – June 2024 – November 2024
Games: 20 Won: 10 Drawn: 4 Lost: 6
Trophies: Turkish Super Cup 2024
He also landed the Champions League with Barca in 2006 and lifted the FA Cup with the Gunners in 2003, while reaching a World Cup final with Netherlands in 2010.
Slot managed Feyenoord from 2021-24, taking over the club two years after Van Bronckhorst departed.
The two will now unite on Merseyside, with the newcomer working alongside Sipke Hulshoff and Aaron Briggs under Slot's management.
Despite enjoying an incredible season last time around as they won a second Premier League title, Liverpool are going through a summer of quite significant change. More Trending
As well as in the coaching department there will be notable changes on field as well, with Jeremie Frimpong already arriving to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Florian Wirtz is expected to arrive next in a club record deal with Bayer Leverkusen, while the Reds are being linked with a string of strikers as they look to get rid of Darwin Nunez this summer.
Milos Kerkez is likely to arrive from Bournemouth, which has put Andy Robertson's future in doubt.
MORE: Manchester United begin talks to sign £84m Chelsea target
MORE: Viktor Gyokeres breaks silence on his future after Arsenal make move
MORE: Gabriel urges Arsenal to sign 'phenomenal' £67m transfer target this summer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Matheus Cunha responds to 'what people don't understand' about Man Utd transfer
Manchester United unveiled their £62.5million new boy Matheus Cunha on Thursday following his big-money move from Wolves, and the Brazil international is determined to change the club's fortunes Matheus Cunha is delighted to have joined his 'dream team' - insisting there is "no-one else like United." The Brazil international is determined to help Manchester United bounce back from their worst season in 51 years. The 20-time English champions are in the midst of a rebuild under Ruben Amorim, having limped home 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham. The defeat in Bilbao cost them Champions League qualification, meaning United will spend a first season without European football since 2014-15. But the Red Devils' issues did not deter Brazil international Cunha, who completed his eagerly-anticipated £62.5million switch from Wolves on Thursday. 'It is the most common phrase that you can say at this moment, but this is the dream come true,' he told MUTV. 'Maybe outside, I think maybe my decision, they don't understand. But when you have always dreamed to play here, it's easier to pick this decision. 'For me, no-one else is like United. Of course, I know it's been a hard season for everyone. I think my decision shows what this club is for me and what I believe this club can be. 'And, of course, I'll do everything that I can to manage this inside of me, to play for my dream team and put my dream team to win.' Cunha loved United growing up and spoke of his admiration for Wayne Rooney, along with many other members of the triumphant 2008 Champions League side. The Red Devils are a long way from even qualifying for that competition right now, yet the forward has lofty ambitions. 'I don't think we have one player who comes here and then doesn't think about the glory days in Man United,' Cunha said. 'To remember all the times that they win the Premier League, how many titles it was, and of course to qualify for the Champions League. This is what I think about United, you know to put this club on top. 'Then what I can do is everything to show them I'm here to help the team, to conquer these kind of things.' Cunha is the first of Amorim's summer recruits and the Brazilian, who has signed a deal until 2030 with the option of another year, is excited to work under the United head coach. 'I really believe in him, everything that he did in Portugal,' he said. 'I hope he can conquer the world like he did in Portugal. 'But of course I think he needs the players that can do everything like I'm open to do and help the team, help him. All the conversation that we have had made my decision easier.'
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool reach AGREEMENT for Wirtz, Chelsea in Nico Williams battle, Tottenham hold Mbeumo talks
THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are well underway with some huge deals in the pipeline. Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement worth £100m plus £16m in add-ons with Bayer Leverkusen for German superstar midfielder, Florian Wirtz, according to transfer guru David Ornstein. Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly switched their focus to Nico Williams after seeing multiple bids for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens rejected. And Tottenham have held initial talks for Bryan Mbeumo after appointing his former coach Thomas Frank.
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tottenham to rival Man Utd for Bryan Mbeumo following Thomas Frank appointment
Tottenham are prepared to rival Manchester United for Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo this summer after the appointment of Thomas Frank, the PA news agency understands. Spurs announced former Brentford boss Frank as their new head coach on Thursday night on a three-year deal. One of Frank's first moves in charge could be to try and tempt Mbeumo to follow him across London. United had already registered an interest in Mbeumo, who scored 20 goals for Brentford last season but is about to enter the final year of his contract. Brentford have the option of a further 12 months and reportedly want a figure in the region of the £62.5million that United spent to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves. After initial talks with Brentford, United appeared in pole position to bring Mbuemo to Old Trafford, but Spurs are ready to try to reunite the Cameroon international with his old boss, PA understands. Frank was appointed by Spurs after they sacked Ange Postecoglou last week despite Europa League glory. During a near seven-year spell in charge of Brentford, Frank managed 317 matches and won 136 as he guided the club into the Premier League for the first time with Championship play-off success at Wembley in 2021. Frank said 'a big piece of my heart' would always remain at Brentford in an emotional message posted on their official club website. 'The time has come for me to move on. But, even as I leave, I know I have left a big piece of my heart at Brentford, not just at the football club but with the community and, of course, the incredible and loyal supporters,' Frank said. 'I want to extend my profound gratitude to the club for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams and for everyone involved who made the journey such a memorable one. 'For my family and I, it has been a privilege to be allowed to be part of such a special community – it's an experience and adventure that we will cherish for life. So, thank you. 'Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved together, and our success is built on unity, spirit, courage and ambition at every level of the club and amongst the fans. 'Everybody has contributed, and every contribution has been invaluable. I am not just leaving a football club, I am saying goodbye to friends whose support through good and bad times I will carry with me always. 'I would like to say a special word of thanks to Matthew Benham. His trust and friendship have meant so much and the fact he gave me a chance in English football means I will always owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Matt. 'So, while this is a goodbye, I hope the relationships I have built with everybody will be lasting ones and, of course, we will meet again in the wonderful world of football.' Spurs announced on Friday they would visit Luton for a pre-season friendly on July 26. Further fixtures in addition to Tottenham's tour of Asia towards the end of July are still to be announced, but Frank's first game in charge will currently be at Kenilworth Road.
