Arne Slot may only have been Liverpool’s head coach for a little over a year, but there have already been big changes to his backroom team since then.
The Dutchman enjoyed a triumphant first season in charge of the Reds, guiding his side to the Premier League title.
Slot didn’t do it alone, however, having trusted backroom staff alongside him, including former Everton defender John Heitinga, who is no longer at the club.
There is now a new team alongside Slot at Liverpool, so here’s a look at his backroom staff.
Sipke Hulshoff – First assistant coach
One individual who has remained at Liverpool since his arrival last year is Sipke Hulshoff, who is Slot’s first assistant coach. Simply, he is what Pepijn Linders was to Jurgen Klopp.
The 50-year-old spent two years working with Slot at Feyenoord, as well as coaching alongside him at SC Cambuur, so the pair know each other well.
He also previously assisted Ronald Koeman for the Netherlands national team.
Hulshoff has shown his passion at Liverpool, being given a red card alongside an irate Slot after last season’s dramatic 2-2 draw away to Everton.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst – Assistant coach
Heitinga impressed in his season working alongside Slot, but the Ajax job was too good to turn down.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has taken his compatriot’s role as assistant coach at Liverpool, possessing a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach.
The 50-year-old won 106 caps for the Netherlands, playing in the 2010 World Cup final, as well as managing both Rangers and Besiktas.
Ruben Peeters – Lead physical performance coach
Like Hulshoff, Ruben Peeters also made the move from Feyenoord to Liverpool in 2024.
He has thrived in the role, taking on aspects of the job that Andreas Kornmayer and Andreas Schlumberger did before him.
He has brought fresh ideas to the club and helped reduce injuries by a staggering 64.3 percent in his first season, with only 11 senior players forced to miss a game due to injury.
Aaron Briggs – Set-piece coach
Aaron Briggs arrived at Liverpool last year, adding experience in both coaching and analysis, and effectively taking over from Vitor Matos as first-team individual development coach.
His responsibilities quickly changed and his new title reflects that, having now assumed the role of set-piece coach, which he will dedicate all his time to, in a big boost to Slot’s backroom team.
Briggs has worked at Man City, Monaco and Wolfsburg in the past, and will be seen barking instructions on the touchline during matches, as well as being a key voice in training.
Xavi Valero – Head of first-team goalkeeper coaching
Having spent seven years at West Ham, Xavi Valero is another new addition for Slot, working closely with Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi.
Valero replaced Fabian Otte and returns to Liverpool as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching, having been at the club under Rafa Benitez.
Fernando Torres spoke highly of him during their time at Anfield in the 2000s, saying:
“He has been a genius at telling me every week exactly what kind of task lies in front of me in the following match. Nobody has ever worked with me like this before, it’s outstanding.
“Basically, I know days before the next game exactly the best way to finish a chance against the keeper I’m about to face.
“Xavi Valero tells me precisely what each keeper tends to do – stay big, go down early, if they have a preferred side they try to push you to. It’s vital information. I’ve refined the way I take chances as a result.”
Colin Stewart – Goalkeeper development and pathway lead
Colin Stewart has come in to fill the void left by Brazil legend Claudio Taffarel, with the Scot having a journeyman career as a player.
He was joint-caretaker manager of Rangers for a brief spell in 2021, and now helps oversee the development and integration of academy goalkeepers at Liverpool.
Stewart’s role will also see him involved in the loan strategies for the club’s goalkeepers, maintaining close relations across the first team and U21s set-up.
Luiz Fernando Iubel – Individual lead coach
Iubel, a 36-year-old Brazilian who can speak English, Portuguese, Spanish and German, arrived in September to take on the role left vacant by Briggs.
He will be tasked with overseeing the development of players between the academy and first team, serving as the bridge between the two, and will work closely with those on loan.
Jonathan Power – Director of medicine and performance
Jonathan Power, a boyhood Red, is Liverpool’s director of medicine and performance, and you will have seen him on matchdays on the bench or attending to players needing treatment.
He possesses a wealth of experience across various sports, including rugby league, and first joined as Liverpool’s club doctor during the 2022/23 season.
Another boyhood Red, Amit Pannu has been Liverpool’s first-team doctor since July 2024, providing important medical care for senior players.
Lee Nobes – Head of rehab physiotherapy
Lee Nobes is approaching seven years at Liverpool, currently taking up the role of head of rehab physiotherapy.
He will be another familiar face for supporters having made the move from Man City, following 11 years there, working under some elite managers in Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.
He works closely with Dr Conall Murtagh and Chris Morgan, head of physical performance and head of performance physical therapy, respectively – you will have seen both on matchday or during training.