John Heitinga joined Arne Slot‘s teaching workers this summer time as an assistant coach, however we have been desperate to know extra concerning the Dutchman and the way he approaches the sport.
The 40-year-old joined the membership through the pre-season tour to the US, arriving with expertise as a participant and a coach – and importantly for Slot, had beforehand frolicked within the Premier League.
He performed for Everton and Fulham within the topflight and extra not too long ago held teaching jobs at Ajax and most not too long ago at West Ham beneath David Moyes.
You should have seen him in numerous Liverpool coaching classes thus far and within the dugout on matchdays, however now we have dug a bit of deeper.
Right here, Dutch soccer journalist Jesper Langbroek (@JesperLangbroek) discusses Heitinga’s transfer to Liverpool, his time as caretaker at Ajax, and the Dutchman’s pitchside method.
Was Heitinga’s transfer to Liverpool shocking for you?
On the one hand, sure, as a result of it was not within the line of expectation.
We knew Heitinga was in search of a brand new job after leaving West Ham however Liverpool was not an apparent step, particularly given his historical past as a participant at a rival membership in the identical metropolis, Everton.
However, it was recognized talks had been happening for some time, Heitinga has a fame as a succesful coach and the Dutch hyperlink with Slot is there.
What sort of mark did he make as caretaker supervisor at Ajax?
Heitinga grew to become head coach at Ajax in a troublesome state of affairs; Alfred Schreuder had been fired after poor outcomes, Ajax have been fifth within the league on the time and Heitinga needed to save the season.
In Europe the group was eradicated by Union Berlin, however within the Eredivisie they received their first seven video games beneath his management.
In huge video games, nevertheless, Ajax received too few factors to compete for the title and even second place – the cup closing in opposition to PSV was misplaced on penalties.
However, Heitinga can’t be held absolutely chargeable for these outcomes, as a result of he stepped in midway by way of the season.
I’ve the impression that many Ajax supporters really feel that the membership handled Heitinga unfairly as he was thrown within the deep as an inexperienced coach in a troublesome state of affairs.
After they didn’t proceed with him as head coach, switching again to assistant coach was not an choice and he needed to depart his membership.
The followers nonetheless blame the then technical director for it, Sven Mislintant, who’s held chargeable for Ajax’s disaster. Heitinga was a sufferer of the chaos on the membership.
What are you aware about his teaching strategies and elegance of soccer?
Heitinga is named a direct and trustworthy coach with whom gamers get alongside effectively.
From his experiences as a participant, he is aware of how necessary it’s for gamers to have open communication and to know what their position is.
It isn’t for nothing that Mohammed Kudus, former Ajax participant and now with West Ham, praised him for his character and manners.
Heitinga places loads of time into making gamers higher individually, however due to his profession at Ajax (as a participant and coach) he additionally is aware of the significance of the collective.
As head coach he made his group play with the basic Ajax ideas of ball possession, excessive strain, counter-pressing and direct passing. That is consistent with the imaginative and prescient Arne Slot expressed throughout his time at Feyenoord and which he’ll take with him to Liverpool.
What sort of an affect did he have at Ajax?
Ajax beneath Heitinga began their soccer from behind, not very shocking for a former defender. When in possession, he builds up low, from the goalkeeper and defenders, to impress the opponents to strain and benefit from the area behind them.
This was one of many points that made Ajax’s play in possession change into loads higher. He improved the positioning of the assorted strains, which made them play much more steady soccer.
The defensive organisation was the most important drawback that season. Heitinga tried to discover a resolution to this by constructing in additional defensive safety with extra gamers behind the ball.
This diminished the dangers of counters, however it additionally proved troublesome to get the gamers to vary their manner of enjoying midway by way of the season. If Heitinga had had extra time and had been given the prospect to organize for a full season, he in all probability might have carried out his tactical plan higher.
Was he energetic on the sidelines or calm?
Heitinga, as head coach, is teaching very fanatically alongside the sidelines. After his first recreation as head coach (4-1 win over Excelsior), he even got here to the press convention with a hoarse voice.
Nonetheless, as assistant supervisor, he’ll know his place and, in cooperation with the supervisor, solely give directions to the gamers when essential or requested.
He’ll do all the pieces to contribute to profitable video games, as a result of the fervour and can to win, which characterised Heitinga as a participant, continues to be strongly current.
Thanks once more to Jesper Langbroek for his perception on Heitinga’s teaching profession. You may comply with Jesper on X, @JesperLangbroek.
