Sipke Hulshoff Expected To Join Liverpool As Arne Slot’s First Assistant

For the first time in almost a decade there will be a sea change in Liverpool’s backroom staff. With the planned exit of so many key figures from the Jürgen Klopp era, Arne Slot has lots of coaching and other technical rolls to fill.

Reports from the Netherlands are saying that one key figure has agreed to terms to join the Liverpool coaching staff. According to Dutch publication Leeuwarder Courant, Sipke Hulshoff has signed a three year deal to join as Slot’s primary assistant coach. Hulshoff had previously been serving as Ronald Koeman’s second in command for the Dutch national team. Hulshoff stepped down from the role ahead of the Euros this summer.

Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff worked together previously at Feyenoord, with Hulshoff serving as the primary assistant in a title winning season in 2022-23. Hulshoff’s role with the national team will also have him quite familiar with Liverpool’s current contingent of Dutch players Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch.

Virgil van Dijk has previously spoken of his respect for Hulshoff in an interview with Voetbal International in 2023. The Liverpool captain enjoyed the way Hulshoff organized the on-pitch training sessions for the Dutch.

“He is very clear and tactically strong. I like the moments when he leads a training session. I think I also speak for the group.”

While there has not been an official announcement from the club to this point, it seems that one key role for Slot’s coaching staff is filled. Expect there to be a flurry of activity behind the scenes as other positions are filled in the lead up to preseason.