Achterberg: Klopp Spoke Like He “Knew Me For 10 Years”
As he prepares to depart, goalkeeping coach John Achterberg remembers his time at the club and with Klopp.
John Achterberg is one of many members of the backroom staff who are leaving at the end of this season, along with manager Jürgen Klopp. The huge shake up will see expected new manager Arne Slot bring his own team with him to take over the reins.
Achterberg joined the club all the way back in 2009 and has ridden it out through a rollercoaster of experiences in that time. The goalkeeping coach announced his departure earlier this week and spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside about his decision to move on.
“When the news broke about the boss you had a little time to think about what will be next. My contract will be running out so you have to look at different things. I didn’t want to come to the end of the season and you come unstuck as you don’t know what is happening,” he explained.
It makes sense for this huge time of transition that many will decide to take on a new challenge. Achterberg, however, was hired under Rafa Benitez and lasted through him, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, and Brendan Rodgers, before finally departing along with Klopp. In his time at the club, he’s coached the likes of Pepe Reina, Simon Mignolet, and Alisson Becker between the sticks.
When asked to describe Klopp, Achterberg said, “The first time he came through the door it was like I knew him for 10 years the way he dealt with me and talked to me. I had a feeling this guy is special because of the way he did things and the authority he has with the players or the way he speaks to them.”
Every day seems to bring word of a new change for the club. On one hand, it’s nice that they have so long to seek out the right replacements. But on the other hand, it’s both exciting and nervy to to contemplate what Liverpool Football Club will look like, come August.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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