A reputable Dutch source has reported that Sipke Hulshoff has finally ‘done a deal’ to become Arne Slott’s assistant at Liverpool.
It was a poorly kept secret that Hulshoff was likely to move to Liverpool to replace Pepijn Lijnders as assistant manager.
Dutch newspaper Leeuwarder Courant are reporting that a ‘deal has now been agreed’, which comes as no surprise after the coach stepped down from his role assisting Ronald Koeman ahead of Euro 2024.
Hulshoff comes with handy experience having already worked with club captain Virgil van Dijk, as well as Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, with the Netherlands national team.
Speaking during Hulshoff’s first camp with the Dutch team, Van Dijk praised his influence in training, describing the coach as “very clear and tactically strong”.
He explained to vi.nl: “Of course I didn’t know Sipke Hulshoff before this. You must meet.
“You see what his qualities are and I personally like that for sure. Here’s hoping they keep up the good work.
“He is very clear and tactically strong, I love the moments when he leads training. I think I speak for the group. We’re only four days into it, but it’s a good start.”
Hulshoff’s coaching career extends beyond the Netherlands. He spent some time at Red Bull Ghana, first as youth coach, then first team manager, before very briefly taking over as interim manager at Qatari club Al-Arabi SC.
However, he began to make a name for himself at Cambuur, where he was assistant manager and stepped in as interim boss on three occasions.
His career then took him to FC Volendam before returning to Slot at Feyenoord where he initially coached the under-21s.
At Feyenoord, he helped Sloto’s team reach the final of the European Conference League, as well as win the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup.
Who Hulshoff will work with at Liverpool is still somewhat unclear.
Although Ruben Peeters is already in place as head coach for the first team’s physical performance, there hasn’t been much progress elsewhere.
This is Anfield It is understood that coach Etienne Reijnen has confirmed privately that he expects to stay at Feyenoord, due to problems securing a work permit in the UK.
With Andreas Kornmayer, Vitor Matos, Peter Krawietz and John Achterberg leaving this summer, there are still plenty of roles to fill.
