Andoni Iraola‘s backroom staff will soon be bolstered by two arrivals from Bournemouth after their exits from the south coast side were agreed.
It has been no secret that Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper were to follow Iraola to Liverpool after his appointment, but their arrivals have yet to be made official.
This is because their exits from Bournemouth needed to be negotiated and formalised before talks with the Reds could officially begin, according to Sky Sports.
Their report states that “this has now happened and an agreement will be signed over the weekend,” meaning their appointments at Liverpool are expected to be made official in the coming days.
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.
Elphick’s arrival comes despite a surprise play from Championship side Burnley, who had briefly targeted the former defender as part of their ongoing managerial search.
Bristol City had also considered a move for Elphick, who retains managerial ambitions but feels he is still best suited to gaining experience as a No. 2.
Elphick and Cooper will remain alongside Iraola, continuing a partnership that was formed in 2023 and brought success to the Cherries.
With the backroom staff now falling into place, Iraola’s rebuild is taking shape ahead of the start of pre-season, which is expected to be around July 13.
How Andoni Iraola’s backroom staff will look at Anfield
File photo dated 31-01-2026 of Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is set to be unveiled as Liverpoolís new head coach after flying into Merseyside to complete the final details on a deal to succeed Arne Slot. Issue date: Thursday 4th June, 2026.
File photo dated 31-01-2026 of Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is set to be unveiled as Liverpoolís new head coach after flying into Merseyside to complete the final details on a deal to succeed Arne Slot. Issue date: Thursday 4th June, 2026.
Elphick and Cooper are set to join Liverpool in assistant roles, with the latter likely to have a heavier emphasis on set-pieces.
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.
The newly assembled backroom team will be present for day one of pre-season, which will see the Reds without several first-team players due to the ongoing World Cup knockout stage.
There are also claims that Liverpool could add a former player to Iraola’s coaching staff, which has seen Thiago and James Milner among the names touted for a position.
Football – FA Premier League – Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Liverpool FC
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Federico Chiesa during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jones-VVD-Alisson-Gomez
players suited and not suited to Iraola FI
players suited and not suited to Iraola FI