How John Heitinga really feels about leaving Liverpool as West Brom and Stoke consider him as new manager

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As the January transfer window nears, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will choose to reshape their squad.

The Reds certainly have no need to make drastic changes, with things going brilliantly well for them so far this season.

As a result, it feels unlikely that the Liverpool squad will see any incomings arrive over the next month.

On the flipside, it would also appear improbable that Liverpool will seek to actively sell any of their players either.

Instead, it looks like there could be a slightly surprise change in the Liverpool coaching staff.

Recent reports have suggested that assistant coach John Heitinga is being considered by West Brom after manager Carlos Corberan left for Valencia. To give a little more detail on the situation, Rousing The Kop spoke to journalist Graeme Bailey to find out what’s going on.

John Heitinga happy at Liverpool but could leave

Heitinga’s arrival as one of Slot’s number two’s last summer was not one many saw coming.

The 41-year-old had a five year stay at Everton during his playing career and as a result he was not on the radar of Liverpool fans.

However, Heitinga is highly rated in the coaching world having had an impressive interim stint in charge at Ajax in 2023. And according to Bailey, Heitinga’s credentials have put him very much in the mix at Stoke City, as well as West Brom.

“I am told that he is in the mix for the jobs at Stoke and West Brom,” says the journalist. “He is held in high-regard within the game but also very much at Liverpool. Arne Slot knows he was fortunate to land him, but is also not surprised by the interest.”

READ MORE: Arne Slot reveals what he did before hiring John Heitinga at Liverpool due to Everton ‘legacy’

“Heitinga is not desperate to leave Liverpool and I understand he is thoroughly enjoying his time at Anfield but he sees himself as a number one rather than a number two, or at least he wants that chance.

“Jobs like Stoke and West Brom could be huge opportunities for him,” Bailey adds. “I’m also told that Ajax regret not bringing him back to be their boss after his short spell in interim charge.”

Liverpool must plan for life without Heitinga

Although Liverpool appear to be very much benefitting from Heitinga’s expertise for the moment, it sounds like an inevitability that he will leave in the near future.

In our opinion, he would be a little bit of a fool to go at the moment, though. The former Netherlands international has the chance to do something special with Slot at Anfield.

Given the high regard he is seemingly held in, Heitinga can surely expect other offers to come his way after a successful season with Liverpool.

Either way, the Reds mut start to plan for life without Heitinga. We thought Dirk Kuyt would be a good assistant for Slot back in the summer and that view has not changed despite Kuyt struggling with Beerschot this season.

Slot and Kuyt already know each other and the former Liverpool man clearly has some coaching chops of his own.