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John Heitinga joined Arne Slot‘s teaching workers this summer season as an assistant coach, however we had been desirous to know extra concerning the Dutchman and the way he approaches the sport.
The 40-year-old joined the membership in the course of the pre-season tour to the US, arriving with expertise as a participant and a coach – and importantly for Slot, had beforehand hung out within the Premier League.
He performed for Everton and Fulham within the topflight and extra just lately held teaching jobs at Ajax and most just lately at West Ham beneath David Moyes.
You’ll have seen him in numerous Liverpool coaching periods thus far and within the dugout on matchdays, however we have now dug a bit 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 on the lookout for 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 repute 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 tough scenario; Alfred Schreuder had been fired after poor outcomes, Ajax had been fifth within the league on the time and Heitinga needed to save the season.
In Europe the staff was eradicated by Union Berlin, however within the Eredivisie they gained their first seven video games beneath his management.
In large video games, nonetheless, Ajax gained 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 via 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 tough scenario.
After they didn’t proceed with him as head coach, switching again to assistant coach was not an possibility 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 magnificence of soccer?
Heitinga is named a direct and trustworthy coach with whom gamers get alongside properly.
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 persona and manners.
Heitinga places a whole lot 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 staff play with the traditional Ajax ideas of ball possession, excessive strain, counter-pressing and direct passing. That is in step 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 impression 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 reap the benefits of the house behind them.
This was one of many facets that made Ajax’s play in possession turn into rather a lot 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 answer to this by constructing in additional defensive safety with extra gamers behind the ball.
This diminished the dangers of counters, nevertheless it additionally proved tough to get the gamers to vary their means of enjoying midway via the season. If Heitinga had had extra time and had been given the possibility to organize for a full season, he most likely may have applied 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 sport as head coach (4-1 win over Excelsior), he even got here to the press convention with a hoarse voice.
Nevertheless, as assistant supervisor, he’ll know his place and, in cooperation with the supervisor, solely give directions to the gamers when crucial or requested.
He’ll do every part to contribute to profitable video games, as a result of the eagerness 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 possibly can comply with Jesper on X, @JesperLangbroek.
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