Feyenoord’s assistant coach, Etienne Reijnen, is unlikely to join Liverpool this summer due to work permit issues. Reijnen was expected to make the move to Anfield alongside head coach Arne Slot and fellow assistant Sipke Hulshoff, following their successful partnership at De Kuip. However, reports emerged last week suggesting that Reijnen’s transfer could be blocked due to the failure to secure a UK work permit. Reijnen has privately confirmed his expectation to remain at Feyenoord, which comes as a blow to Slot, who still needs to fill vacancies in his backroom staff.
Liverpool is in need of a new goalkeeping coach following the departures of John Achterberg and Jack Robinson. However, Feyenoord’s goalkeeping coach, Jyri Nieminen, has cast doubt on the possibility of him joining Slot at Liverpool. Nieminen was previously considered as a potential addition to the coaching staff, specifically to work with the club’s goalkeepers alongside Claudio Taffarel. However, the 36-year-old has indicated that he is more likely to stay at Feyenoord. In an interview with Finnish magazine Apu, Nieminen stated that the Liverpool opportunity was on his mind but it is highly probable that he will continue with Feyenoord next season. He added that the situation may change if circumstances change.
These developments pose challenges for Liverpool as they prepare for the upcoming pre-season. In addition to a new goalkeeping coach, the club also needs a set-piece coach and an alternative to analyst and technical advisor Etienne Reijnen. The decision-makers at Liverpool have a lot of work ahead of them before pre-season starts on July 1st.
The issue of work permits can often pose obstacles in football transfers, especially when it comes to non-EU players moving to the UK. The Home Office has specific criteria that must be met in order to obtain a work permit, including the player’s international appearances and the ranking of the player’s national team. In the case of Etienne Reijnen, it seems that his work permit application did not meet the necessary requirements. This highlights the complexities and challenges that clubs face when trying to recruit foreign staff or players.
The departure of goalkeeping coach John Achterberg and Jack Robinson creates a void for Liverpool in terms of coaching their goalkeepers. The role of a goalkeeping coach is crucial in developing and improving the skills of the team’s goalkeepers. Liverpool will need to find a suitable replacement who can continue the work done by Achterberg and Robinson, ensuring that the goalkeepers maintain their high level of performance.
The search for a set-piece coach is also a priority for Liverpool. Set-pieces, such as corners and free-kicks, can often be decisive moments in a match. Having a specialist coach who can analyze opponents’ set-piece strategies and develop effective routines can give Liverpool an edge in these situations. This position requires someone with a deep understanding of tactical and technical aspects of set-pieces, as well as the ability to effectively communicate and train players.
The absence of analyst and technical advisor Etienne Reijnen will also need to be addressed by Liverpool. Analysts play a crucial role in providing insights and data-driven recommendations to support the coaching staff’s decision-making process. They analyze opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, player performance data, and tactical patterns to provide valuable information that can inform training sessions and match strategies. Finding a suitable replacement for Reijnen will be important for Liverpool to ensure they have access to the necessary information and analysis.
Overall, the news that Etienne Reijnen and Jyri Nieminen are unlikely to join Liverpool this summer due to work permit issues and personal decisions presents challenges for the club. Liverpool will need to fill these vacancies in their coaching staff before the start of pre-season, ensuring they have a well-rounded and competent team to support the players and achieve their goals. The club’s decision-makers will need to carefully consider their options and find the right candidates who can contribute to Liverpool’s continued success.