Former Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga has joined Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur
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Former Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga is back in the game after joining Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur as an assistant coach to Thomas Frank.
The former Everton defender spent 12 months as an assistant at Anfield and was part of the coaching team that guided the Reds to a Premier League title last season.
He departed Anfield in the summer to take over at European giants Ajax. However, he was sacked by the Dutch club in early November after winning just four of his 11 Eredivisie matches in charge.
Ajax had also lost all four of their Champions League matches under the ex-Liverpool assistant.
Technical director Alex Kroes told the club's website at the time: "It's a painful decision. We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes.
"We have given John that time, but we believe it's best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team."
However, he has now returned to the Premier League and agreed a deal to become part of Frank’s set-up in North London.
Frank said: “John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch.
“He had an impressive playing career across Europe – including five years in the Premier League – and with the Dutch national team.
“As a former defender, that will be one of his main responsibilities on the training pitch, and he brings great coaching and management experiences from all levels of the game, which will really help us moving forward.”
Liverpool have faced Spurs once this season, as they recorded a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike both scoring for the Reds in that game.
They take on the North London club for a second time on March 14 at Anfield. Although the date of that fixture is subject to change with broadcast selections yet to be made.
Heitinga also has coaching experience in the Premier League, having worked with David Moyes at West Ham United.
He said previously of his time in the English top flight: “I got to work with two coaches of which one has been around for a long time, and the other one got to continue Jurgen Klopp‘s legacy.
“I think, together, we built something wonderful there last season.”