Liverpool are closing in on the appointment of Etienne Reijnen to their coaching ticket, in what is the biggest indicator that Arne Slot will be remaining at Anfield. Reijnen previously worked alongside Slot at Feyenoord and had been at the Dutch club until last Sunday, when he left his role. It is understood that he has told those close to him that he is preparing to make a move to the Premier League side, reports the Telegraph.
Reijnen's Path to Anfield
Slot had hoped to bring Reijnen with him to Liverpool in 2024 when he first arrived, but the move collapsed when Reijnen could not secure a work permit and had to stay in the Netherlands. The Liverpool boss has faced serious questions regarding his future, which comes after a year in which the Reds have gone from champions to a side still needing to finalise their place in the Champions League. Last year's exploits look to have earned him the right to remain, even if some have called for a change.
Slot himself said recently that he expected to be the Liverpool boss next season, but that was before another damaging defeat at Aston Villa. Their 4-2 defeat exposed a lot of the flaws and issues that have been apparent all season. Reijnen will help Liverpool be a smarter team from set pieces and is set to join up with Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff. Doubts persist over the position held by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with the ex-Arsenal man potentially moving on from Anfield.
Long-Standing Relationship
Slot first met Reijnen when the pair played for PEC Zwolle in 2010, and they have remained close ever since. Slot brought him in at Feyenoord after being impressed by the work he had done at Cambuur. The Liverpool boss has been coy on appointing Reijnen and said: "As I always say about players, it is the same about staff members. As long as things are not done, then I will not be commenting on who we are signing or who we don't."
He added: "Well, it is fair to say that I have worked with him before. And I have a very high regard for him in terms of the coach he is. It is also clear that I tried to sign him two years ago when I first came here, but we couldn't do it."
New Era at Anfield
Liverpool are set to embark on something of a new era with some of their stalwarts moving on. Mohamed Salah will leave Anfield after nine years, whilst Andy Robertson, a pillar of their backline, will also move on when his contract expires. The arrival of Reijnen signals Slot's commitment to reshaping the coaching staff and building for the future, despite a challenging season that has seen the team drop from champions to fighting for a top-four finish.
