30 Apr 2026 07:43 BST |
2 min read
Arne Slot is well on his way to strengthening his coaching team at Liverpool, with journalist Valentijn Driessen claiming that Etienne Reijnen will be recruited as an assistant coach at Anfield.
The reporter for De Telegraaf states that Reijnen’s move paves the way for a return of Giovanni van Bronckhorst to Feyenoord.
Reijnen is currently working as an assistant to head coach Robin van Persie in Rotterdam. In the summer of 2024, he missed out on a move to Anfield because he did not possess the required coaching diplomas and a British work permit.
According to Driessen, that will soon change.
“Etienne Reijnen, who sits next to Robin van Persie, is going to get his coaching diploma and head in that direction,” Driessen said Wednesday evening on Vandaag Inside.
With that, Slot would finally add his desired reinforcement for set pieces to his staff.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Reijnen’s impending move has direct consequences for the current staffing at Anfield. Van Bronckhorst has been active as an assistant coach under Slot since July 2025 but is strongly linked to the vacant position of technical director at Feyenoord.
“That means Giovanni van Bronckhorst is returning to Feyenoord. At least, he is open to it,” states Driessen.
The Rotterdam club is looking for a successor to Dennis te Kloese, who is leaving for Mexican club CF Monterrey after this season.
Liverpool are reportedly willing to cooperate with the former Netherlands international’s early departure.
Composition of Liverpool Technical Staff (Season 2025/26)
| Name | Function |
|---|---|
| Arne Slot | Head coach |
| Sipke Hulshoff | Assistant coach |
| Giovanni van Bronckhorst | Assistant coach |
| Xavi Valero | Goalkeeper coach |
| Aaron Briggs | Individual Development Coach |
| Ruben Peeters | Lead Physical Performance Coach |
Lutsharel Geertruida
In addition to the changes to the technical staff, Driessen expects Slot to further infuse his squad with a Dutch touch. The name of Lutsharel Geertruida, currently on loan from RB Leipzig to Sunderland, comes up specifically in this regard.
A winter transfer fell through because Sunderland could not find a replacement, but Liverpool remains the leading candidate to acquire the defender.
“He wanted Lutsharel Geertruida back in the winter; he will probably return for him in the summer,” says Driessen.
Denzel Dumfries was also previously on the manager’s wish list.
Criticism
The strong Dutch influence at the English top club, where Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong, and Cody Gakpo are also under contract, is now raising questions.
“Why all those Dutchmen?” sighs Driessen. “Isn’t anyone playing football in the rest of the world?”
Outspoken critic Johan Derksen joined in that criticism, saying: “You get the same thing now with Jordi Cruijff, who brings all those Spaniards to Ajax. They all do it.”
