Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has shed light on the key appointments that have accompanied him to Anfield, explaining why continuity and trust were essential as he begins a new chapter with the Premier League champions.
Following his appointment earlier this summer, Iraola wasted little time in assembling a familiar coaching team by bringing Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, Pablo de la Torre, and Tom Webber from AFC Bournemouth.
The quartet have all taken up important roles within Liverpool’s first-team setup, with Elphick and Cooper serving as first-team coaches, De la Torre becoming assistant coach, and Webber assuming the role of first-team tactical analyst.
For Iraola, the appointments were never simply about familiarity—they were about building a coaching environment capable of helping Liverpool compete at the highest level from day one.
Speaking about the appointments, the Spaniard admitted bringing his trusted colleagues to Merseyside was a priority from the outset.
Among them, Pablo de la Torre holds a particularly significant role, having worked alongside Iraola throughout much of his coaching journey.
“For me, it was important they came with me,” Iraola said. “Pablo is a physical coach but has been with me almost all the years I have been coaching.
“So for me, he is much more than a physical coach really. He is an assistant and we know each other very well.”
That long-standing relationship provides stability as Liverpool transition into a new era under Iraola’s leadership.
The Liverpool boss also reflected on his early days at Bournemouth, revealing that circumstances unexpectedly strengthened his appreciation for Elphick and Cooper.
After losing the services of his former assistant, Inigo Perez, Iraola leaned heavily on the two English coaches—a partnership that ultimately exceeded expectations.
“I was very lucky with Tommy and Shaun when I arrived at Bournemouth, because I was unlucky to have the issue with my [former] assistant coach Inigo Perez.
“After it, it worked out very well for him because now he is coaching Villarreal – maybe we play him in the Champions League.
“But when I had Tommy and Shaun there, we did not feel the need to send in another assistant.”
Rather than searching externally, Iraola found exactly what he needed within Bournemouth’s existing coaching structure.
One of the biggest advantages Elphick and Cooper brought was their extensive knowledge of English football and dressing-room culture.
Iraola admitted their guidance helped him adapt quickly to life in the Premier League by providing valuable insights into player mentality and everyday training habits.
“They were very prepared, they were very helpful for me in terms of understanding the English culture, the mentality of the players, what they were used to, what they like in training, even the small details that maybe in Spain are different.”
That blend of local knowledge and tactical understanding proved invaluable during Iraola’s successful spell at Bournemouth and is expected to play a similarly important role at Liverpool.
Beyond their coaching expertise, Iraola highlighted the wealth of experience his staff possess across English football.
Tommy Elphick’s coaching journey through clubs including Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton and Huddersfield has equipped him with an understanding of different environments and player personalities.
The Liverpool manager believes that experience allows his coaches to build even stronger relationships with the squad.
“Also the experience Tommy has at Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Huddersfield, they can be in a closer position to the players, if you want, they can feel more identified. I am a little bit older – some of the players maybe didn’t know I was a player.”
Those connections, Iraola believes, help create a collaborative atmosphere where communication flows naturally between players and coaches.
Perhaps most importantly, Iraola emphasised that his coaching team shares the same football philosophy.
While each member has clearly defined responsibilities—including work on tactical preparation and set-piece routines—they all approach the game with a similar mindset.
“So, they are very good to me, they are very good coaches. We kind of understand the game similarly and they have different roles in the coaching staff. They help with set-pieces also. That’s the reason I continued with them.”
As Liverpool prepare for the new campaign, Iraola’s carefully assembled backroom staff will play a central role in implementing his ideas on the training ground and ensuring the squad adapts quickly to his methods.
For the Spaniard, success at Anfield will not depend solely on the players. It will also be built on the trusted relationships, shared philosophy and collective experience of the coaching team he believes can help guide Liverpool through the next chapter of their evolution.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
