Arne Slot has taken over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool’s new head coach. The team is now in pre-season and he has started to communicate with the players who have joined him in camp and are beginning to prepare for the new season.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff supporting the Dutchman in charge is also starting to improve, with the most recent hire being former Dutch defender John Heitinga, who was assistant coach at West Ham United until last season, in the same position as at his former club.
Since his retirement, he has worked as a coach and manager with Ajax’s youth and first team. He has steadily developed as a leader, and former Dutch international Ryan Babel, who also used to play for Liverpool, looks back on his time working for Ajax and says he had a good aura about him.
“I was able to work with him very briefly (at Ajax), before I signed with my last team in Turkey. At that moment I had no team and I asked Ajax could I train with them to help my fitness.”
“A few weeks in I could see a very good coach in him. A very good understanding of how Ajax wanted (him) to coach his players.”
“He held very high standards in terms of effort, he had a very good aura.”
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He has had a brilliant career as a player, playing for Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Everton and Fulham.He has also made 87 appearances for his country’s full national team, scoring seven goals.
At the age of 40 and with a new challenge in his hands at one of England’s strongest clubs, can Heitinga support manager Slot and help Liverpool to a top finish in the Premier League…His skills and aura will be noted.