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The Andoni Iraola era at Liverpool is beginning to take shape as the Reds undergo a major reshuffle of their first-team coaching staff.
Following his appointment, Liverpool confirmed the departures of Sipke Hulshoff, Ruben Peeters and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, bringing an end to elements of the backroom team established under Arne Slot after his exit last month.
The changes marked the start of a wider transition at Anfield as Andoni Iraola prepares to build his own coaching structure. The 44-year-old will begin work with the squad during pre-season next month after signing a two-year contract.
The upcoming period will be key as he assesses the squad and implements his coaching methods ahead of the new campaign.
According to Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam, Bournemouth coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper have agreed to leave the club and are expected to join Iraola’s staff at Liverpool.
The two highly rated assistants were both targeted by Liverpool’s new boss but first needed to agree termination deals with Bournemouth before being permitted to negotiate terms at Anfield.
Those agreements have now been reached, with both coaches expected to sign contracts over the weekend. McAdam posted on X: “Bournemouth coaches Tommy Elphick & Shaun Cooper have agreed deals to leave the club and are now set to join Andoni Iraola at Liverpool.
“Both needed to agree terminations before being allowed to leave, this has now happened – LFC deals will be signed this weekend.”
Tommy Elphick, formerly a professional at Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, was one of Iraola’s assistant coaches at Bournemouth.
The 38-year-old reportedly rejected managerial opportunities at Bristol City and Burnley to remain with the Spaniard.
Elphick began his coaching career with Bournemouth’s development squad in late 2021, shortly after retiring as a player. He was later promoted to the first-team set-up during the 2022/23 season under Gary O’Neil.
Shaun Cooper, another former Bournemouth player, was also promoted to the first-team staff in 2022/23 following Scott Parker’s departure. Both coaches continued their work under Iraola as Bournemouth secured a sixth-place Premier League finish last season.