Liverpool have been fending off interest in their first-team assistant coach John Heitinga, who has been tipped for a bright future in management
Liverpool coach John Heitinga‘s agent has quashed any transfer gossip by confirming the Dutchman’s commitment for the remainder of the season.
Championship side West Bromich Albion had shown interest in securing the services of the ex-Everton defender, who became part of Anfield’s coaching team this summer alongside new manager Arne Slot.
His impressive CV includes a role in David Moyes’ coaching squad at West Ham United, when the Hammers lifted the Europa Conference League. And he then linked up with his compatriot Slot, as an assistant first-team coach.
Heitinga’s influence has not gone unnoticed, especially as Liverpool lead the way in the Premier League by six points, top the Champions League table and are contenders in the League Cup semi-finals – feats that have caught the eye of the Baggies.
The Midlands side, eager for a return to top-flight football, have been on the hunt for a new manager after Carlos Corberan departed for Valencia right before the festive period, reports the Liverpool Echo.
But it seems Heitinga is set to remain with the Reds, with Rob Jansen, his representative, telling De Telegraaf: “John will definitely stay at Liverpool this season.”
The 41-year-old, a product of the Ajax Youth Academy, won two league titles with the Eredivisie giants as a player, before spending four years on the blue half of Merseyside.
He won 87 caps for his country, including playing in the World Cup final defeat to Spain in 2010, before moving to Fulham and eventually returning to Holland, then taking up coaching.
Heitinga is married to the sister of former Liverpool ace and fellow Netherlands star Bolo Zenden. The pair became brothers-in-law when the former centre-back married Charlotte Zenden in 2010 and the couple share three children.