Marino Pusic Reveals Why He Turned Down Liverpool Assistant Role
In the high-stakes world of football management, opportunities to join a Premier League giant like Liverpool are rare and coveted. Yet for one Dutch coach, the call from Anfield came with a profound moral dilemma that tested his professional ambition against human loyalty. Marino Pusic, the current head coach of UAE Pro League side Al-Jazira, has revealed in an exclusive interview that he was approached to become Arne Slot’s right-hand man at Liverpool after his first season in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk—an offer he ultimately turned down. This revelation sheds light on the extraordinary circumstances faced by Shakhtar during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where football became a symbol of resilience amid unimaginable adversity.
- Match: AZ Alkmaar vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (UEFA Conference League Quarter-Final)
- Venue: AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar
- Date: April 2025
The Liverpool Offer: A Career Crossroads
Pusic’s candid disclosure to Voetbal International ahead of AZ’s Conference League quarter-final against Shakhtar Donetsk provides a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes negotiations that shape football’s managerial landscape. After taking charge of Shakhtar in 2023, the Dutch coach quickly established himself as a tactically astute leader, guiding the Ukrainian club through one of the most challenging periods in its history. His success caught the attention of Liverpool’s newly appointed manager Arne Slot, who sought Pusic as his assistant for the 2024-25 Premier League campaign. “I viewed that invitation as a great honour,” Pusic admitted, acknowledging the prestige of joining one of England’s most storied clubs. Yet despite the career-defining opportunity, something didn’t feel right about walking away from Shakhtar at that precise moment.
Wartime Resilience: More Than Football
What made Pusic’s decision particularly remarkable was the context in which it was made. During his tenure at Shakhtar between 2023 and 2025, the club operated under the shadow of ongoing conflict in Ukraine—a reality that transformed football from mere sport into a powerful symbol of national resistance. Under Pusic’s leadership, Shakhtar achieved what seemed impossible: winning the Ukrainian Premier League title, securing two domestic cups, and accumulating thirteen points across two Champions League campaigns while operating in extraordinary circumstances. “No other club in the world has achieved what Shakhtar did during wartime,” Pusic stated with evident pride, highlighting the unique challenges his squad faced both on and off the pitch.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Position | 2023-25 Appearances | Goals/Assists | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mykola Matviyenko | Defender | 68 | 5 goals, 7 assists | Defensive leadership |
| Danylo Sikan | Forward | 72 | 28 goals, 12 assists | Top scorer in league title campaign |
| Heorhiy Sudakov | Midfielder | 65 | 15 goals, 18 assists | Creative engine in midfield |
| Anatoliy Trubin | Goalkeeper | 70 | 27 clean sheets | Foundation of defensive solidity |
The Human Dimension: Coaching Beyond Tactics
Pusic’s reflections reveal how the war fundamentally changed his approach to management. The Dutch coach described how he and his staff occasionally received devastating news that a player’s family member, friend, or acquaintance had been killed in the conflict—a reality that forced him to expand his role far beyond tactical discussions. “As a coach, you’re asked to do more than just discuss tactics,” Pusic explained. “You talk together about life and death. That’s how you build a close bond.” This human dimension created an unbreakable connection between coach and players, making the prospect of abandoning them for Liverpool’s dugout feel like a betrayal of trust forged in extraordinary circumstances. For those following Premier League managerial moves, Pusic’s story offers a poignant reminder that football decisions are sometimes about more than career advancement.
Conference League Quarter-Final Context
The timing of Pusic’s revelation adds layers to AZ’s upcoming Conference League clash against his former club. Now at Al-Jazira, Pusic will be watching from afar as the team he once led continues its European campaign—a testament to the foundation he helped build during his tenure. Shakhtar’s presence in the quarter-finals represents another chapter in their remarkable story of resilience, while AZ seeks to advance in a competition that has gained increasing prestige in European football. For fans of UEFA Conference League updates, this matchup carries emotional weight beyond the typical knockout tie.
What’s Next: Managerial Futures and European Football
Pusic’s decision to remain at Shakhtar ultimately led to his departure in 2025, when he accepted the head coaching position at Al-Jazira—a move that allowed him to continue his development while maintaining distance from the intense pressures of European conflict zones. His story raises intriguing questions about how managers balance ambition with loyalty, particularly in extraordinary circumstances. As for Liverpool, Arne Slot has since assembled his backroom staff and guided the Reds through a transitional period, though Pusic’s revelation suggests alternative paths that might have been taken. Looking ahead, Pusic’s experience at Shakhtar will undoubtedly influence his approach at Al-Jazira, where he seeks to implement the same resilience and tactical discipline that brought success in Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Marino Pusic turn down the Liverpool assistant manager role?
Marino Pusic turned down the opportunity to become Arne Slot’s assistant at Liverpool because he felt it would be wrong to abandon Shakhtar Donetsk during a period of extraordinary challenge. The club was operating amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and Pusic had developed deep bonds with players and staff who were facing personal tragedies related to the war. He viewed leaving at that moment as a betrayal of the trust and resilience the team had shown under his leadership.
What did Shakhtar Donetsk achieve under Marino Pusic during wartime?
Under Marino Pusic’s management between 2023 and 2025, Shakhtar Donetsk won the Ukrainian Premier League title, secured two domestic cups, and accumulated thirteen points across two Champions League campaigns—all while operating during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These achievements are particularly remarkable given the logistical, emotional, and security challenges the club faced.
How did the war affect Pusic’s coaching approach at Shakhtar?
The war fundamentally transformed Pusic’s coaching approach, forcing him to expand his role beyond tactical instruction to include emotional support and crisis management. He regularly had conversations with players about life-and-death matters when they received news of family or friends killed in the conflict. This created unusually strong bonds between coach and players, making football both an escape from and a response to the surrounding tragedy.
Where is Marino Pusic coaching now after leaving Shakhtar?
After departing Shakhtar Donetsk in 2025, Marino Pusic became the head coach of Al-Jazira in the UAE Pro League. His move to the Middle East allowed him to continue his managerial career while stepping away from the intense pressures of coaching in a conflict zone, though he maintains the tactical principles and resilience-focused approach developed during his time in Ukraine.
How has Arne Slot’s Liverpool backroom staff developed since Pusic’s rejection?
Since Marino Pusic turned down the assistant manager position, Arne Slot has assembled his backroom staff at Liverpool with other appointments. While specific details about Slot’s current assistants are beyond this article’s scope, Liverpool has continued its competitive performance in the Premier League and European competitions under Slot’s leadership, suggesting the managerial structure has been effectively established despite Pusic’s decision.
