Zeljko Buvac, Liverpool’s assistant manager, is a surprise contender to join the Arsenal coaching staff after his dramatic split from Jürgen Klopp after 17 years of working together. The 56-year-old stood down from his role last weekend, with the club citing “personal reasons” for a decision that they claim could be reversed in the summer.

Ivan Gazidis, the Arsenal chief executive, is planning to overhaul his club’s football department after Arsène Wenger’s departure this summer, with one option being the appointment of an experienced coaching team to work with a younger manager. Buvac fits that bill having worked as Klopp’s right-hand man at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

Buvac’s case is believed to have been championed by Sven Mislintat, Arsenal’s head of recruitment, who worked