Aston Villa's Tommy Elphick during the Sky Bet Championship match at the KCOM Stadium, Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 6, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Hull. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Aston Villa's Tommy Elphick during the Sky Bet Championship match at the KCOM Stadium, Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 6, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Hull. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Liverpool faced late competition for the appointment of Andoni Iraola‘s incoming assistant Tommy Elphick, who was recently offered a manager’s job elsewhere.
Elphick is expected to be confirmed as part of Iraola’s new staff at Liverpool in the coming days, with the 38-year-old following the head coach from Bournemouth.
There has been a delay in any official announcement over those brought in with negotiations ongoing, but he is set to serve as assistant along with long-time colleague Shaun Cooper.
However, Liverpool could have been dealt a late blow due to interest from Championship side Burnley, reports talkSPORT’s Alex Crook on X.
Burnley, who have been unsuccessful in their efforts to hire Craig Bellamy, “made a play” for Elphick but his deal to join Iraola at Anfield is “too far down the line.”
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Friday, March 20, 2026: Bournemouth coach Tommy Elphick during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Friday, March 20, 2026: Bournemouth coach Tommy Elphick during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It is maintained that Elphick has managerial ambitions for the future but it is clear he feels his career is best served remaining as a No. 2 at a top club.
There has been “a lot of interest” this summer, Crook claims, with it known that Bristol City had considered a move for Elphick before hiring former Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala.
Elphick and Cooper are set to join Liverpool in assistant roles with the latter likely to have a heavier emphasis on set-pieces.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 28, 2026: Liverpool's Thiago Alcântara applauds the supporters after the LFC Foundation match between Liverpool FC Legends and Borussia Dortmund Legends at Anfield. The game ended 2-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 28, 2026: Liverpool's Thiago Alcântara applauds the supporters after the LFC Foundation match between Liverpool FC Legends and Borussia Dortmund Legends at Anfield. The game ended 2-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Analyst Tom Webber is also expected to leave Bournemouth and rejoin Iraola, while his long-serving fitness coach Pablo de la Torre will arrive having already seen his contract with the Cherries expire.
Liverpool are also claimed to have considered adding a former player to their coaching staff, with Thiago Alcantara a popular candidate among fans.
There are however no indications of progress in this regard, with movements around the backroom team kept under wraps with just over a fortnight to go until the start of pre-season.
What happened to Arne Slot’s Liverpool staff?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (R) and assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (R) and assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arne Slot‘s sacking was followed by the departures of assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, first-team performance coach Ruben Peeters and first-team tactical analyst Roderick van der Ham.
Van Bronckhorst has since been reappointed as Feyenoord head coach with Hulshoff his assistant, while talks are planned for Peeters to join their staff.
Slot’s next move is a mystery at this stage, with the Dutchman having already rebuffed an approach from Fulham.
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Aston Villa FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 1, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Manchester City FC v Nottingham Forest FC
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Nottingham Forest FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
michaelmulholland