Liverpool’s managerial upheaval has triggered a rapid ripple effect across the club’s backroom structure, with changes already beginning to take shape in the wake of Arne Slot’s dismissal.
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Liverpool’s sacking of Arne Slot has triggered a rapid ripple effect across the club’s backroom structure, with changes already beginning to take shape in the wake of Arne Slot’s dismissal.
As is often the case when a head coach is relieved of duties, the coaching and support staff installed under his leadership are now expected to follow him out of Anfield as the club prepares for a new direction under incoming leadership.
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The Dutchman’s exit has effectively opened the door for a full reset behind the scenes, with Liverpool’s hierarchy moving quickly to dismantle the performance structure built during his short tenure.
Attention has now turned to the fitness and conditioning department, where one of Slot’s most trusted lieutenants has officially confirmed his departure.
Ruben Peeters, who served as Liverpool’s First Team Lead Physical Performance Coach, has now publicly confirmed that he will be leaving the club alongside the outgoing manager.
He said viahis LinkedIn, “After two unforgettable seasons at Liverpool F.C., it is time to say goodbye.”
“Winning the Premier League together will always be a special memory and the ultimate highlight of this incredible journey.”
“But above all, I’m grateful for two years of going to work every day with so much enthusiasm, surrounded by amazing colleagues and great people.”“Thank you to everyone at Liverpool FC for the trust, support, and unforgettable moments.”
However, before his identity became central to the conversation, he was simply one of the key figures operating behind Liverpool’s high-intensity physical preparation system, an essential part of Slot’s demanding tactical approach.
Peeters, 34, is a Belgian performance specialist with a strong academic foundation in sports science, holding a master’s degree from KU Leuven.
His career began in Belgium with KRC Genk, where he worked as a fitness coach between 2017 and 2021, developing a reputation for data-led training methods and structured physical conditioning programs.
His work at Genk eventually earned him a move to Feyenoord in 2021, where he was appointed Head of Performance under Arne Slot.
The partnership between the two proved highly successful, with Peeters playing a central role in implementing the physical standards required for Slot’s high-pressing, high-intensity style of play.
When Slot was appointed Liverpool manager in 2024, Peeters followed him to Anfield as part of his trusted backroom team, taking up the role of First Team Lead Physical Performance Coach.
His responsibilities included overseeing player conditioning, recovery planning, and injury prevention strategies across a congested Premier League and European schedule.
Peeters is particularly known for his modern, analytical approach to performance management, including advanced biometric monitoring systems sometimes referred to as the “DNA Project.”
These methods involved collecting detailed physiological data, such as sweat, saliva, and urine samples, to build highly individualized recovery and nutrition plans for players.
His exit now marks another significant change in Liverpool’s behind-the-scenes structure as the club prepares for a new managerial era.
With Arne Slot gone and his trusted staff following, Liverpool’s sporting leadership is expected to reshape the entire performance and conditioning framework ahead of pre-season, ensuring a fresh start under the next appointment.