Liverpool is set for major changes this summer, as Jurgen Klopp and several members of his coaching staff will be leaving the club. Klopp’s departure has been confirmed, and along with him, three more coaches will be moving on. This includes John Achterberg, who will join Saudi club Al-Ettifaq as a goalkeeping coach, and Andreas Kornmayer, the head of fitness and conditioning, who will be leaving as well.
Pepijn Lijnders and Vitor Matos, who are currently assistant managers at Liverpool, have already committed to taking over as head coach and assistant at Red Bull Salzburg, respectively. Peter Krawietz’s future is expected to be tied to Klopp’s, so his departure will likely depend on Klopp’s next move.
The news of these departures comes as no surprise, as Achterberg had announced his exit earlier in May. In his final pre-match press conference, Klopp confirmed Achterberg’s move to Al-Ettifaq, where he will join Steven Gerrard’s staff. The manager also confirmed the departures of Andreas Schlumberger, the head of recovery and performance, and Jack Robinson, the assistant goalkeeping coach.
While it may seem like a significant loss for Liverpool, Klopp expressed his confidence in the departing coaches and their future endeavors. He praised Achterberg for his coaching abilities, jokingly mentioning that he coached “everybody and their dogs.” He also spoke highly of Robinson and Kornmayer, acknowledging their contributions to the club’s success.
Klopp emphasized that these departures are normal in the football business and that it is part of the new start for Liverpool. He encouraged his former colleagues to embrace new opportunities and experiences in their careers. Despite their departure, Klopp assured that he will continue to support them in whatever they choose to do.
As Liverpool prepares for this transitional period, all eyes are on the club’s appointment of Arne Slot as the new head coach. With key coaching roles to fill, the club will need to carefully consider their options to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the success they have achieved under Klopp’s leadership.
Overall, while Liverpool will undoubtedly miss Klopp and his coaching staff, this period of change presents an opportunity for new ideas and fresh perspectives to shape the future of the club. The departing coaches have played a vital role in Liverpool’s success, and their contributions will be remembered and appreciated. As Liverpool moves forward, the focus will be on finding the right replacements and building on the strong foundation that has been established.