Liverpool has officially confirmed Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the new assistant coach to Arne Slot, replacing Johnny Heitinga, who recently departed to take up the head coach role at Ajax. The appointment, announced on Wednesday, is subject to Van Bronckhorst securing a work permit. The 50-year-old Dutchman, who previously managed Feyenoord, Rangers, and Besiktas, brings a wealth of experience to Anfield, despite the step down from his prior managerial roles.
Van Bronckhorst’s connection to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard adds an intriguing layer to his appointment. The two share a friendly relationship forged during Van Bronckhorst’s time at Rangers, where he succeeded Gerrard as manager in 2021 after the latter moved to Aston Villa. When Gerrard faced a challenging period, culminating in his sacking from Villa just 11 months into his tenure, Van Bronckhorst was quick to offer his support.
Reflecting on Gerrard’s dismissal in 2022, Van Bronckhorst shared: “For him personally, since I joined here, I have had regular contact with Steven about his time at Aston Villa and, of course, the games we play at Rangers. It’s part of your job, I sent him a message as well this morning. Eventually, I think all managers will face it at one time. It’s not what you want because we are all dedicated to our jobs, we give everything to bring success to the club, but if that’s not going well, you know the pressure is on you. For sure, he will learn from his time at Aston Villa and also with his time at Rangers to become a better manager for his next job.”
Van Bronckhorst’s move to Liverpool is part of a broader overhaul of Arne Slot’s backroom staff ahead of the new season. The goalkeeping department has also seen significant changes, with Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel departing. Xavi Valero, a familiar face who previously worked under Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, returns as the new head of first-team goalkeeper coaching.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard finds himself at a crossroads in his managerial career. After a disappointing spell at Aston Villa, where he won only a fraction of his matches, Gerrard’s subsequent role at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia has similarly struggled to yield success. Across his 99 games managing Villa and Al-Ettifaq, Gerrard secured just 36 victories, underscoring the challenges he has faced since leaving Rangers.
Van Bronckhorst’s appointment signals a new chapter for Liverpool as they prepare for the upcoming season with a revamped coaching staff. His experience, coupled with his empathetic approach to colleagues like Gerrard, suggests he will bring both expertise and camaraderie to Anfield.