Former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has been unveiled as Al Ettifaq’s latest staff addition, joining up with head coach Steven Gerrard at the Saudi Pro League club.
Achterberg was one of several coaches to depart Anfield alongside Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season following 15 years of service. Klopp had commented last month that the Dutchman would link up with Gerrard ahead of the new season.
The 52-year-old first joined Liverpool in 2009 and work with the academy and reserves before making the step up to the first-team in 2011, a role he occupied for the next 13 years. He worked under four Liverpool managers in Roy Hodgson, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers and Klopp.
Achterberg left Anfield having won nearly everything there is to win in senior club football, including the club’s maiden Premier League title in 2020, having been a prominent figure in Klopp’s backroom staff.
Confirming his decision to leave Merseyside in May, Achterberg said: “After 15 years at the club, I have decided with a heavy heart to leave LFC. It has been an unbelievable and great journey for me and my family.
“I have loved each day working at this amazing club, but after a long think I feel it could be right for me to start a new challenge. It has been a privilege to work for the biggest and greatest club in world football with its amazing supporters.”
Al Ettifaq confirmed the arrival of Achterberg on social media on Saturday.
John Achterberg joins as the #Ettifaq goalkeeping coach 🧤🟢🔴 pic.twitter.com/nGE5wVG0r1
— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) June 15, 2024
Fellow goalkeeper coach Jack Robinson also left last month, although Alisson Becker appeared to confirm that coaching colleague Claudio Taffarel will be staying on.
Backroom staff members Pep Lijnders – set to be the new RB Salzburg coach – Peter Krawietz, Vitor Matos, Andreas Kornmayer and Andreas Schlumberge also all left in May.
