Andoni Iraola highly likely to appoint a ‘lifelong Liverpool fan’ as one of his coaches at Anfield
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Talks are reportedly stepping up for Andoni Iraola to become the new Liverpool manager, and the Basque is now beginning to put together his coaching team.As is often the case when a manager leaves, Arne Slot’s backroom team will seemingly go along with him, meaning Iraola will need to oversee a full-scale restructuring.The most glamorous positions on the Liverpool coaching staff are the assistants, and while supporters will dream of Thiago Alcantara or perhaps Steven Gerrard joining the new boss on the touchline, Iraola is reportedly lining up Bournemouth coach – and boyhood Liverpool fan – Tommy Elphick for the job. Credit: AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images ‘Strong chance’ Tommy Elphick joins LiverpoolSpeculating after news of Iraola’s imminent appointment surfaced, Rousing The Kop suggested that former Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez may become Liverpool’s next assistant manager.The Spaniard filled the role alongside Iraola at Rayo, but after work permit issues blocked him from moving to Bournemouth, the 38-year-old became a successful manager at the Madrid side in his own right, but is scheduled to leave this summer.
2, Elphick, comes in to replace Sipke Hulshoff.READ MORE: Richard Hughes should listen to Jamie Carragher’s valid concern about hiring Andoni Iraola at LiverpoolPhoto by Rhianna Chadwick / AFP via Getty Images“Liverpool plan to make a quick appointment with Andoni Iraola the standout candidate and clear favourite for the role,” Jacobs reported to X on Sunday afternoon. Negotiations are expected to move fast, and there is a strong chance Tommy Elphick also joins LFC.”Elphick is a ‘lifelong Liverpool fan’While some fans may be disappointed not to secure a bigger name to join Iraola, it is good news that he will retain some consistency from his successful Bournemouth coaching team.Furthermore, as it transpires, Elphick is actually a boyhood Liverpool supporter who could be about to see a dream come true.
What role do you see for Federico Chiesa under Andoni Iraola at Liverpool? As the Bournemouth Echo reported way back in October 2014, the former centre-back is a ‘lifelong Liverpool fan.’ Described as a ‘Liverpool fanatic’ since his childhood, Elphick was looking ahead to a League Cup tie at the Vitality Stadium, which the Reds ultimately won 3-1.Though born in Brighton and having spent most of his career on the South Coast, Elphick will clearly understand what it means to be leading Liverpool, and will be able to give Iraola a crash course on the inner workings of the club.A highly-rated coach in his own right, Elphick was reportedly offered the chance to take on a first-team manager’s role at Bristol City only four days ago.