Liverpool Officially Releases Statement Confirming Departure of First-Team Coach

Liverpool FC has officially announced significant changes to Arne Slot's coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season, confirming the departures of first-team coaches Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel from the goalkeeping department.[1][2][3]

The club's statement, released on July 2, 2025, highlights these moves following Slot's triumphant first season, where Liverpool secured the Premier League title—their 20th league championship and Slot's debut-season victory as the first Dutch manager to achieve it.[1][3][4] Otte, a 34-year-old German who joined last summer after roles with the USA national team, Burnley, and Borussia Mönchengladbach, leaves after contributing to the title win as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching.[1][2][3] Taffarel, the Brazil legend and 1994 World Cup winner, ends a four-year stint at the AXA Training Centre, having worked under Jürgen Klopp and Slot, supporting goalkeepers during successes including two Carabao Cups, the FA Cup, and the recent Premier League.[2][3]

In tandem with the exits, Liverpool welcomes high-profile arrivals. Former Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst joins as assistant coach, replacing John Heitinga (who departed for Ajax), subject to visa approval. Van Bronckhorst, with a stellar playing career at Feyenoord, Rangers, Arsenal, and Barcelona—culminating in the 2010 World Cup final—brings managerial experience from Feyenoord and Rangers titles.[1][2][3]

Additionally, Xavi Valero returns as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching after seven years at West Ham. The Spaniard previously worked with Rafael Benítez across clubs like Inter, Chelsea, Napoli, and Real Madrid, and briefly with Hebei China Fortune.[2][3]

These restructurings aim to bolster the backroom team as the Premier League champions build on their momentum. Liverpool thanked Otte and Taffarel for their contributions and wished them well.[3] The changes reflect ongoing evolution under Slot, following earlier staff shifts post-title win.[1]

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