Sean O'Driscoll set for Liverpool role
Liverpool are set to confirm the appointment of Sean O’Driscoll as assistant manager and the promotion of academy coach Pep Lijnders to Brendan Rodgers’ backroom staff today.
It is understood both will be in their new posts in time for the return to pre-season training of most of the players.
O'Driscoll played for Fulham and Bournemouth and won three caps for the Republic of Ireland.
O’Driscoll, who has left his role as England Under-19 manager, will replace Rodgers’ former number two Colin Pascoe, who was sacked in June following a robust end-of-season review into the club’s failure to retain Champions League football with a sixth-placed finish.
However, Lijnders is not a direct replacement for first-team coach Mike Marsh, who did not have his contract renewed in June, and is understood to have been given a role centred around elite player development having impressed with his one-on-one work with players at the academy.
The Dutchman will also continue to work with the best youngsters at the academy.
Liverpool are likely to make one further addition to the coaching staff, which possibly leaves the way open for a return for an individual who has previous links with the club.
Former defender Sami Hyypia, who has managed Bayer Leverkusen and Brighton, and ex-assistant to Rafael Benitez Pako Ayesteran, who recently left his job with Maccabi Tel Aviv having led them to a domestic treble, were both linked with the vacancy when the departures of Pascoe and Marsh were announced a month ago but the recruitment process is still ongoing.
The majority of Liverpool’s squad, including all their England internationals - which also means want-away winger Raheem Sterling, for whom the club have rejected two bids from Manchester City – will report back to Melwood after their summer break.
New arrival James Milner, who arrived on a free transfer from City, will be present while fellow new signing Danny Ings, the Burnley striker, is cutting short the extended summer break he was entitled to having been involved with England’s Under-21s in the European Championships having made the personal decision to come back early and is likely to join up with his new team-mates on Wednesday.
Brazil internationals Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, who has yet to have his medical having agreed a £29m deal to move from Hoffenheim, are not scheduled to return for some time following their recent involvement in the Copa America.
Liverpool fly out to Bangkok next Sunday for the first leg of their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.
