10 Nov 2025 10:06:39
Hi eds does anyone know if there are any plans to approach Heitinga now he has been sacked from Ajax to rejoin the coaching team. Having huge doubts about GVB.
{Ed001's Note - I haven't heard of any plans yet, but something like that can be done and him starting before news leaks anyway. There is not a lot of negotiations needed as he could simply return on his previous contract terms.}
10 Nov 2025 12:09:41
Kha, what exactly are you blaming GVB for and how do you know his input is the cause of this season's problems? Is this widely known/ accepted?
10 Nov 2025 12:16:22
Genuinely hoping this happens as I can’t see any other reason for our downfall this year. Maybe Heitinga was more responsible for tactics and our set up.
Ed 1 do you know just how involved he was/ integral to our play?
{Ed001's Note - he had a big say as he was brought in to be the Premier League experience in the group. So he was always consulted at least, though it is difficult to know how much Slot actually listened to him.}
10 Nov 2025 12:28:21
Not sure our issues stem from GVB directly. But noticeable change in our style of play and players at times seem lost. No doubt big part of this is slot but I know Heitinga was a highly rated coach and number two so me just putting 1+1 together and perhaps getting 3! We will see what happens.
I can take losing where we are trying and playing like we used to, but can’t accept us losing in the manner we have against city and games before that. We have looked completely lost and exposed.
10 Nov 2025 12:57:40
I had hoped we'd bring in Thiago as Heitinga's replacement, as he was free at the time and think he would have fitted better than GVB.
10 Nov 2025 13:17:27
Can’t see how bringing him back would be a smart decision. He was part of the coaching staff last year when we dropped of at the end of the season.
Brings back memories of when Rodger’s was in charge and they changed the coaching staff for him - signals we don't have trust in the manager.
Arne is the manager and it’s on him improve the team.
10 Nov 2025 13:30:39
I heard Heitinga was responsible for the switch to the slow possession football. So a no from me,
10 Nov 2025 18:58:41
Scouse John could we get any slower?
10 Nov 2025 20:29:03
This run of indifferent performances began in March when Heitinga was at the club so I’m not sure bringing him back is really going to change anything.
10 Nov 2025 20:37:38
Indeed, there are many slow people.
10 Nov 2025 21:33:14
He won’t be coming back as it would completely undermine Slot’s position. Basically indicating Slot is lost without him.
Just hope one day there’s a place for James Milner on our coaching staff. A fine example of a pro with incredible experience of the premier league and Europe. He’s humble, intelligent and a grafter.
10 Nov 2025 22:17:04
But is he a top assistant coach though, Ron?
10 Nov 2025 23:03:41
I’ve been hoping for the same Ron.
10 Nov 2025 23:18:35
@TB2, agree with your take on things, we switched off when we won the league and everybody ‘clocked off’. with the change of squad, assistant coach and a variation in the way the head coach seems to think he wants to play we have temporarily lost our rhythm.
That said, the clutching at any straw blowing in the window and the abandoning of any crack at logical thought before contributing is pretty entertaining.
11 Nov 2025 02:09:57
Don't see how any of us know the inner workings of the coaching and who's doing what. Same stories we had w Linders. We've been inconsistent and lost almost half our games since March so I don't see that Heitinga makes a difference or GVB or even Slot at this point. We've lost 11 of our last 27 competitive matches.
{Ed001's Note - we knew exactly what was happening with Lijnders, Klopp even confirmed it, so it wasn't just stories. Klopp stepped back when he agreed his new deal and Lijnders took main control of training and tactics. It was closer to the way Man Utd operated under Ferguson, where his assistant manager was in charge of training and tactics.}
11 Nov 2025 02:13:52
We've been poor this season scraping 5 wins then winning 1 in 6 and losing 5. I get the "clocking off" from last season but this is now no longer temporary and I would call our form borderline crisis esp considering the money we've spent.
11 Nov 2025 08:33:45
Do you think that's a good idea Ed, getting Heitinga back? Where would that leaves GvB though, would he stay. I think its a big problem if the entire coaching team including Slot himself decided that they can't figure this mess and needed Heitinga to help them out.
{Ed001's Note - I think he could hardly make things worse, so has to be worth a try right now.}
11 Nov 2025 12:52:58
I heard mentio of Thiago as an asst coach?
Don't think he will pass his medical.
11 Nov 2025 15:19:06
A team of James Milners wins the league!
11 Nov 2025 15:22:55
GVB is not the problem.