Kudus wanted a longer tenure with Liverpool’s new assistant coach

West Ham star midfielder Mohammed Kudus has revealed his past desire to have worked longer with Liverpool’s newly appointed assistant coach, John Heitinga, during their time together at Ajax.

Liverpool recently strengthened their backroom staff by bringing in Heitinga, who previously worked with Kudus at Ajax.

In a candid reflection, Kudus hailed Heitinga as “the best coach” he had during his stint with the Dutch giants.

While transfer rumours linking Kudus to Liverpool have cooled, there was speculation earlier this summer that the Reds had an interest in the talented 23-year-old.

Despite a reported £85 million release clause set to activate in 2025, there have been no recent indications of Liverpool pursuing the winger.

Kudus, who transitioned to West Ham United last summer following a successful season at Ajax, spoke highly of Heitinga’s impact and coaching methods.

“I felt very good under Heitinga,” Kudus told Voetbal Primeur. “He is the best coach I have had at Ajax. Apart from the training aspect, I also hold him in high regard in terms of standards and values. Personally, I would have liked to have worked with him longer. He is a top trainer and I really appreciated his efforts to make the players better at the time.”

Kudus highlights Heitinga’s impact 

The 23-year-old praised Heitinga’s immediate impact when he took over as interim manager at Ajax, leading the team to significant improvements. “When he took over for the rest of the season [at Ajax], he immediately showed impact. Things got better,” he added.

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Reflecting on their recent reunion, Kudus said, “When we saw each other again, there were things that connected us immediately. He tried to make me and all the other players better. I am very grateful to him for our time at West Ham.”

John Heitinga arrives at Anfield with seven years of coaching experience, including a successful interim managerial role at Ajax where he won 14 out of 22 games. His appointment to Liverpool’s coaching staff is seen as a strategic move to bolster the club’s expertise and development capabilities.