New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will be joined by two Bournemouth assistants, who are set to release their contracts to enable a move to Anfield.
Andoni Iraola is the new man in charge of Liverpool (Image: Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola will be joined by two former Boermas assistants as Tommy Elphick and Sean Cooper move closer to Anfield.
The Spaniard is likely to look to his former club as a vice-captain coach given his success at the Vitality Stadium, and the wheels are set in motion for a move to Liverpool.
Sky Sports reports that both Bournemouth managers have agreed to terminate their contracts with Dorsett, with a deal with Liverpool expected to be signed this weekend.
The Cherries had hoped Elphick and Cooper would be part of Marco Rose’s coaching staff next season, but that is no longer the case, with the new head coach already bringing in a number of assistants.
Elphick, who has been a Liverpool fan since he was a boy, also turned down an approach from Bristol City to become head coach this summer, stressing his desire to team up with Iraola again.
Mr Iraola has confirmed he will leave Bournemouth midway through the election period after completing a three-year term on the south coast. During his time in charge, the Cherries improved year after year, and in the final season the Spaniard led them to Europe for the first time.
His achievements coincided with the death of Arne Slott, and poor results in his second year in charge ultimately cost the Dutch manager his job. Liverpool quickly turned to Iraola after a season in which they went from champions to fifth place despite spending more than £400m on new players.
At Anfield, Iraola will be reunited with Milos Kerkes, one of the players he signed for Liverpool 12 months ago, giving the highly-rated manager the chance to prove himself at an elite club.
Tommy Elphick and Sean Cooper to join former boss
He said of his appointment: “I’m really excited, I’m really excited, because you know about Liverpool and you know it’s a big club, a huge club, one of the biggest clubs in the world. But getting a feel inside this club and understanding a little bit more about this club, I always thought this was a special club.
“You don’t need many things to attract you to Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool, but obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance to coach top-level players, the chance to compete for titles. I don’t think there’s anything more attractive than that. It’s hard to find that. So I’m really looking forward to starting.”
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