Liverpool manager Arne Slot discussed John Heitinga’s past at Everton before appointing him at Anfield this summer.
That’s according to Boudewijn Zenden, via Soccer News, who claims that Heitinga’s past at Everton was a matter of discussion at Liverpool before his arrival.
Slot added the former defender to his coaching staff at Liverpool this summer when he appointed his backroom team.
It’s the latest step into management for Heitinga, who has so far been a manager at various levels at Ajax, caretaker manager of the first team for a 22-game spell and assistant manager to David Moyes at West Ham for a year.
The move to the Hammers came about thanks to the relationship they had at from Heitinga’s playing career, when he played under the Scot at Everton.
That past at Liverpool’s city rivals certainly meant some eyebrows were raised when he rocked up at Anfield as their new assistant manager.
Slot, though, was seemingly more than aware of where Heitinga had played in his career and the matter was discussed before he signed off on the addition to his backroom team according to Zenden.
“John’s presence gives watching Liverpool an extra dimension, yes,” he told Voetbal International.
“Arne discussed that (Everton) with John, but John didn’t see that as a problem. Liverpool fans are not bothered by that either. Liverpool have to go to Goodison Park on December 7, then John might hear something from the Everton fans.
“But at Liverpool they are already crazy about John. Arne did not know John personally very well but heard through the grapevine that many players were very enthusiastic about John’s work. He is now focusing on individual coaching and defense with the first team.”
