Liverpool set to appoint former Arsenal star as Arne Slot assistant

Liverpool are working tirelessly to strengthen their team this summer as Arne Slot is set to welcome former Arsenal star as part of his coaching crew.

With the Reds on the verge of signing Florian Wirtz from Bayern Leverkusen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst is also set to join as assistant boss. Arne Slot has a void to fill after Johnny Heitinga departed to take the top job at Ajax.

Van Bronckhorst has been out of work since he was sacked by Besiktas in November. The Dutch coach has previously managed Feyenoord – like Slot – as well as Rangers.

He will now step back into a role as an assistant to take over from Heitinga if a deal gets completed.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst during his time as Besiktas manager. (Photo by Saycan Sayim/ dia images via Getty Images)

Heitinga was a popular figure among the Liverpool players after just a year at the club for the former Everton defender.

With a new phase set to begin for him in Ajax, Van Bronckhorst will be eager to make a name for himself.

Van Bronckhorst had a distinguished career as a player having played with Rangers, Arsenal, Barcelona and Feyenoord at either end of his playing time.

Speaking out earlier this year, Van Bronckhorst shared his disgruntlement about how his spell at Ibrox ended. He said: “I’m frustrated because I had to leave because I am a fighter, I was a fighter as a player and also as a coach.

“I think I have done everything in my power to manage the club. If you have to say goodbye to a club, and a club I mean players, the fans to leave, that is not a nice feeling to leave something you love.

“But you have to live with it, you have to deal with it and you have to move on because life goes on. I am now in a very positive place where I enjoy life, I enjoy my family and enjoy watching really good games. We all move on.”

Van Bronckhorst added: “It’s something you don’t want as a coach. I wish I was still there coaching this team but I also know how it works in football and I am not deciding the future of the club. It is not ideal for a coach and I think also not ideal for a club.”