Club cult hero makes fresh start as manager amid Liverpool rumours | OneFootball

Dirk Kuyt Steps into New Managerial Role

Former fan favourite chooses FC Dordrecht over Anfield comeback

There was a time, not too long ago, when it seemed that Dirk Kuyt and Liverpool might share a second act. As the club looked to fill the assistant manager vacancy left by John Heitinga, speculation rippled through Merseyside and beyond. Kuyt, a cult figure at Anfield and remembered fondly for his unrelenting energy, seemed a natural fit.

The Dutchman, who enjoyed a memorable six-year spell with Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, was reportedly “definitely in the mix” to join Arne Slot’s new-look backroom team. Slot, the recently installed head coach, had previously offered Kuyt an assistant role at AZ Alkmaar. There was logic to the rumour and emotional weight too — few represented Liverpool’s fighting spirit quite like Kuyt.

Yet, that reunion will not materialise. Instead, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has emerged as the man to assist Slot. A proven manager in his own right, Van Bronckhorst brings a CV that includes an Eredivisie title with Feyenoord and a European final with Rangers.

Kuyt’s coaching journey continues in the Netherlands

For Kuyt, though, the story is far from over. Far from sulking in the shadows of what might have been, he has taken on a fresh challenge in his native Netherlands. FC Dordrecht, a club nestled in the Eerste Divisie — the Dutch second tier — have confirmed Kuyt as their new head coach.

“FC Dordrecht has appointed Dirk Kuyt as its new head coach,” the club posted on Instagram.“The 44-year-old from Katwijk signs a contract for one season, until mid-2026, and will start working at the Krommedijk immediately.”

This appointment may not carry the same glamour as a return to Anfield, but it speaks to Kuyt’s enduring commitment to the managerial path. His time on the sidelines has not been easy. A short-lived spell at ADO Den Haag saw him sacked after just 16 games. More recently, he guided Beerschot to promotion in Belgium, only to be dismissed after relegation undid his work.

A test of resilience for Liverpool’s former No. 18

There is something in Kuyt’s managerial arc that mirrors his playing career. He has never been the most naturally gifted, nor the most decorated, but he is persistently there, working, fighting, refusing to fade quietly. Where others might have retreated into punditry or waited for bigger offers, Kuyt continues to graft, now taking on a project in Dordrecht where expectations are modest but the potential is clear.

Photo: IMAGO

FC Dordrecht finished fifth in the Eerste Divisie last season. Their last appearance in the Eredivisie came in 2014-15. Climbing back up will be no small feat, but Kuyt is no stranger to uphill battles.

Kuyt remains part of Liverpool folklore

Whether he ever returns to Liverpool in an official capacity is a question for another day. For now, he remains one of the club’s most respected modern servants. His hat-trick against Manchester United, his tireless performances under Rafael Benítez and Kenny Dalglish, and his ability to rise on big occasions have earned him a place in the folklore of the red half of the city.

As he embarks on this latest chapter with FC Dordrecht, fans of Kuyt — and of Liverpool — will be watching. If he can instil even a fraction of the tenacity he once brought to the pitch, Dordrecht may just have found the right man.