Since his appointment in July Roy Hodgson has yet to appoint any new coaching staff at Liverpool, despite the departures of three key men who shaped Rafa Benitez’s backroom team.
First team coach Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco De Miguel have all joined up with Rafa at Inter Milan.
With the new sports science team arriving at Melwood this summer, Darren Burgess – the new head of fitness and conditioning – appears to have taken De Miguel’s role but no appointments have been confirmed with regards the goalkeeper coach and first team coach positions.
However, we understand that Mike Kelly, Hodgson’s assistant at Fulham, has now joined up with the Reds and was at Melwood last week. Kelly is a goalkeeper coach and so can fill the void left by Valero’s departure. Kelly’s appointment has yet to be confirmed by LFC but he is no longer listed as a member of staff on Fulham‘s official website.
We understand Liverpool were first denied in their approach for Kelly shortly after Hodgson’s appointment until they had concluded their search for a new manager, which ended last week with the appointment of Mark Hughes, seemingly leaving Kelly free to rejoin his former boss at Liverpool.
Kelly has vast experience as a keeper coach, including three World Cup’s. Two with England in 1986 and 1990, and in 1994 with Hodgson and Switzerland.
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