“Arne Slot’s ex-assistant returns to the Premier League, joining a team that rivals Liverpool.”

 

 

A former Liverpool assistant coach has returned to the Premier League just eight months after leaving Anfield.

Shortly after taking over at Liverpool, Arne Slot brought John Heitinga into his coaching staff. Heitinga had previously worked under David Moyes at West Ham. The ex-Everton defender played a key role in the coaching setup that helped Liverpool secure domestic success last season before departing in May to become Ajax’s head coach—a role he held for just five months before being dismissed.

Now, Slot’s former assistant is back in England, linking up with another London club. Tottenham Hotspur announced on Thursday that Heitinga has joined as first-team assistant coach under Thomas Frank, with a focus on defensive coaching duties.

Frank said: “As a former defender, he’ll take charge of defensive work on the training ground. He brings extensive coaching and management experience across all levels of the game, which will be a real asset for us moving forward.”

Despite Slot’s indication last May that he wanted Heitinga to stay at Liverpool this season (The Times), the former defender’s return to the Premier League won’t be at Anfield. Instead, he has joined Spurs—a move that, while not directly threatening Liverpool in the league, may still sting for some Kopites.

Heitinga will now work with Richarlison, a player with a somewhat turbulent history at Liverpool, which could add extra intrigue when Tottenham visit Anfield in mid-March. After a brief but enjoyable spell at Ajax, Heitinga will be eager to prove himself, and his move suggests that Spurs have no plans to part ways with their head coach despite recent speculation.

It will be interesting to see how Slot privately reacts to seeing his former right-hand man now working for a Premier League rival.