Latest news with #Heitinga
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool Target Former Allies and Fan Favourite for Assistant Role
Liverpool Begin Search to Replace Departing Heitinga After Ajax Move Coaching Carousel Continues at Anfield Liverpool are preparing for another backroom reshuffle after confirming that assistant coach John Heitinga is set to leave the club and take over as Ajax's new head coach, suggest reports from The Echo. Heitinga, who joined Arne Slot's coaching team just last summer, quickly established himself as a key figure as Liverpool stormed to a record-equalling 20th league title. Advertisement Ajax moved quickly following Francesco Farioli's resignation, which came in the wake of a catastrophic collapse that saw his team squander a nine-point lead in the final five Eredivisie games, gifting the title to PSV Eindhoven. For Heitinga, this marks a return to familiar territory. Having begun his playing and managerial career in Amsterdam, he now steps into a high-pressure role with expectations already mounting. Photo: IMAGO Slot Backs His Departing Lieutenant Speaking on the links last week, Slot said: 'If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him. He is ready to take on a job like that. If John is smart, he would stay one more season.' Advertisement That reluctant praise reflected both admiration and a desire to keep a trusted ally close. However, Slot will now be forced to act swiftly with pre-season on the horizon and Liverpool keen to maintain continuity in their tactical evolution. Candidates in the Frame Marino Pusic, a long-time associate of Slot from his AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord days, is a leading candidate. Fresh from a domestic double and Ukrainian Cup success with Shakhtar Donetsk, Pusic ticks the boxes for both familiarity and pedigree. Etienne Reijnen, who was blocked by work permit issues last summer, could be reconsidered. Another name linked is former fan-favourite Dirk Kuyt, who is expected to leave Beerschot following their relegation from the Belgian Juliper Pro League. Strategic Importance of This Appointment Liverpool's choice of Heitinga's replacement will be critical, not just for preserving last season's momentum but for embedding Slot's identity into the long-term structure at Anfield. With an early July pre-season start looming, the club must act decisively. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis From a Liverpool fan's perspective, the departure of John Heitinga feels more like a commendable graduation than a setback. He was a quiet but effective presence under Slot, and his move to Ajax shows the calibre of staff the Reds are attracting. Advertisement 'If we're producing coaches who are getting headhunted by Ajax, we must be doing something right,' one fan remarked in the Kop bar after the news broke. The potential candidates bring intrigue. Pusic's recent silverware in Ukraine is not to be ignored. If he can adapt quickly, the Slot-Pusic reunion could be seamless. Reijnen, despite his previous permit issues, also remains an attractive proposition for continuity. And then there's Dirk Kuyt. A cult hero at Anfield, but is sentiment clouding judgement? His track record as a coach isn't glittering, and stepping into such a tactical role might be a big leap. That said, his passion, understanding of the club, and bond with fans can't be measured by trophies alone. One thing is clear – this summer's assistant appointment matters. If Slot is to build a dynasty, choosing the right right-hand man is just as vital as selecting the starting XI.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool eye three options to become Slot's new assistant including former star
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has seen his assistant, John Heitinga, leave for Ajax and three individuals are being considered as his replacement with a former Red among them Liverpool boss Arne Slot is on the lookout for a new assistant at Anfield with Dirk Kuyt among the three names being considered. The Dutchman has just lost one of his key lieutenants with John Heitinga leaving to take the top job at Ajax. Heitinga has been alongside Slot in the dugout as Liverpool romped to the Premier League title in dominant fashion, but will now head back to Amsterdam. As a result, the Merseysiders are having to find a new addition to their coaching staff. Kuyt, who played for Liverpool for six years, has been shortlisted. The former striker, who played in a Champions League final with the Reds, is expected to leave his role as Beerschot manager in the coming weeks after their relegation from the Belgian top flight. Others being considered are those who Slot knows from his previous jobs. Marino Pusic was assistant to Slot at both AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord and has just left his post as Shakhtar Donetsk manager. Only last year he won the domestic double in and followed that up by landing the Ukrainian Cup this season. The Liverpool Echo also reports that Etienne Reijnen is under consideration. He is the current Feyenoord assistant coach and had been expected to follow Slot last summer until the move was hampered due to work permit issues. Despite the upheaval to the coaching staff, Slot had backed Ajax to go after the man who had been his assistant. Only last week he was asked about reports that Ajax were considering a move for Heitinga and said: "If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him. He is ready to take on a job like that. If John is smart, he would stay one more season." Ajax have been after a new boss after Francesco Farioli stepped down at the end of the season. The Dutch side's dramatic collapse in the final weeks saw them surrender a nine-point lead in the final five games to lose the Eredivise title to PSV. Heitinga said on his move: 'I had a fantastic year there (at Liverpool). Winning the league was the crown to our work. But the conversations I had with Alex [Kroes, technical director] and Marijn [Beuker, director of football], and the idea behind it all, made me very excited to start here." Liverpool have made a Dutchman their first signing of the summer after confirming the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. The Reds paid his release clause and the former Manchester City and Celtic full-back will now serve as Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Ajax hire Liverpool's John Heitinga as new manager in major reshuffle move
Ajax hired John Heitinga as head coach on Saturday to replace Francesco Farioli nearly two weeks after the Italian resigned following the team's late-season collapse. Heitinga, who had a spell as Ajax's interim manager in 2023, spent the past season as an assistant coach to Arne Slot at Liverpool, which won the Premier League title. The 41-year-old former Ajax center-back came through the Dutch club's youth program and made more than 150 appearances for the team. He also played 4 1/2 seasons at Everton. The former Dutch international takes over a team that finished second to PSV Eindhoven after squandering a nine-point lead in the Eredivisie title race. I am incredibly excited to start, said Heitinga, who was an assistant at West Ham two seasons ago. The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I've been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at two major clubs.
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Sunday's briefing: Paris St Germain secure Champions League glory
Paris St Germain are at long last European champions. The Champions League has been the holy grail for the Parisians since their Qatari take over more than a decade ago and when it finally came, it came in stunning fashion as they crushed Inter Milan 5-0 – the biggest winning margin for a final in the competition's history. Luis Enrique's side became only the second French club to lift the European Cup after Marseille did so in 1993, and they end the season as treble winners following their Ligue 1 and French Cup successes. Dream night for PSG PSG were many people's favourites for the final but could anyone have foreseen the performance they delivered in Munich? Achraf Hakimi finished off a brilliant attacking move to put them ahead 12 minutes in and it already felt over when 19-year-old Desire Doue added a second eight minutes later with the help of a deflection. Doue would get another just after the hour but PSG just kept coming as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made it four 10 minutes later, with another teenager, 18-year-old Senny Mayulu, sparking wild scenes when he got the fifth five minutes from time. After millions were spent signing ageing stars who could not deliver, Enrique as rebuilt PSG as a young, energetic side who have become the class of Europe. Wiegman weighs options Sarina Wiegman still has a few days left before she names her England squad for the Euros and will use them to pick between a number of players still hoping to make the final cut. Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones put forward her case when she became just the second Lioness to score a hat-trick at Wembley in the 6-0 Nations League rout of Portugal. The key for Wiegman will be to find the right balance of form, fitness and chemistry in the final 23. 'Of course you want these connections,' she said. 'Some players play more together than others. You have your opponents and of course, we still have players that are building too, so can they go to the level they had before they had injuries? 'I don't know yet. We're still trying out things and finding the balance.' Heitinga leaves, Lijnders for City? As Liverpool announced that John Heitinga was leaving his role as Arne Slot's assistant to become head coach of Ajax, one of his predecessors as a deputy in the Anfield dugout has also been in the news this weekend. Pep Lijnders, who was the assistant to Jurgen Klopp for several seasons, has reportedly agreed to join rivals Manchester City in Pep Guardiola's new-look backroom staff. Lijnders left Liverpool at the same time as Klopp last summer, but his role as Red Bull Salzburg boss was short-lived as he left in December. Former Ajax and Everton defender Heitinga, 41, will take over from Francesco Farioli in Amsterdam after the Italian saw his side squander a nine-point lead in the Eredivise title race to rivals PSV Eindhoven. Alcaraz to stay at Everton Charly Alcaraz is staying at Everton after impressing on loan, with the Toffees triggering the option to make his switch from Flamengo permanent. The 22-year-old will sign a two-year contract at the Merseyside club, who have paid an undisclosed sum to the Brazilian club. The Argentinian, formerly of Southampton, registered five goal involvements from 16 appearances since his January switch to Goodison Park. What's on today? A place in the Football League is up for grabs at Wembley as Oldham meet Southend in the Nations League promotion play-off. Oldham, who finished fifth in the regular season, are looking to regain EFL status after three seasons in the National League. Southend, who finished seventh, were relegated in 2021. A National League final record crowd of 50,000 is expected.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Heitinga leaves Liverpool to become Ajax head coach
Agencies John Heitinga has left his role as Liverpool's assistant boss to return to Dutch club Ajax as their head coach, reports The former Netherlands defender made more than 200 appearances for Ajax before having spells as their reserve team boss and interim head coach. The 41-year-old has rejoined the club on a two-year contract and will be assisted by another Ajax academy product, Marcel Keizer. Heitinga succeeds Francesco Farioli, who left Ajax last week after his sole year in charge ended with an end-of-season collapse. With seven games left Farioli's team were nine points clear at the top of the Eredivisie, but ended up finishing a point behind champions PSV Eindhoven. That meant a third straight season without a trophy for Ajax, who have won the Dutch title a record 36 times. 'John is a good coach with enormous drive,' said their technical director Alex Kroes. 'He is ambitious and has further developed himself over the past few years in the Premier League and Champions League. 'John knows the club well and we are convinced that he, together with Marcel, will help improve our players and build on the progress made since last summer.' Ajax won 14 of Heitinga's 22 games in charge at the end of the 2022-23 season to finish third in the Eredivisie. Heitinga then spent 2023-24 as West Ham's first-team coach under David Moyes before joining Arne Slot at Liverpool last summer, and they helped the Reds win their second Premier League title in Slot's first season in charge. 'I am incredibly excited to start,' said Heitinga, who also played for Atletico Madrid, Everton, Fulham and Hertha Berlin. 'The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I'm ready to continue as a head coach and I'm honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax.'
