John Achterberg Looks Back At His Goalkeeping Legacy At Liverpool
The Dutchman is one of many backroom staff who have left the club.
This is a summer of big changes for Liverpool. The announcement of Jürgen Klopp’s departure from the club preceded the slow trickle of news about other backroom staff joining him. One of those familiar faces leaving is John Achterberg, who has served as Liverpool’s head goalkeeping coach for 15 years and through four managers.
In an interview with the official site, Achterberg had a moment to stop and reflect on his influence on the club and the many goalkeepers he helped guide.
“I treated them all the same, I didn’t want the No.3 to feel less important than the No.1 because we all need them. If one is injured, you need the next one,” Achterberg explained.
There is a unique relationship between the ‘keepers and their coach, who often train separately from the rest of the team.
“The only time I used to leave them when I was on my own was on minus-one [the day before a game] because the manager wanted them to be in the tactical training,” Achterberg said.
“But when I was alone I trained the No.3, No.4 and No.5 separately two hours before. Then I could focus on the No.1 and No.2 for the game.”
The pride he feels for his former charges is clear in the way he can recite their careers off the top of his head.
“It’s big enjoyment seeing [Peter] Gulacsi making a good career. Kamil Grabara is doing well. Shamal [George] playing in the Scottish Premiership. Ryan Fulton plays in Scotland. Andy Firth playing in Wales. Yusuf Mersin played in Turkey and stuff like that.
“[Dean] Bouzanis obviously went back to Australia, came back and is playing for Reading. Martin Hansen went to Holland and then back to Denmark, is still playing in Denmark.
“They all found a good career, and that’s always been the plan – to make sure they have a chance and give them what they need. There’s a lot of satisfaction to see that happen.”
It’s clear that Achterberg focused on turning his players into the best versions of themselves so that they can have good careers, whether or not they stayed at Liverpool. There are such limited opportunities for goalkeepers. If you’re not the first or second choice, you might never see the light of day. Achterberg prepared them to succeed in wherever their careers took them.
Now he’s the one leaving the club, but hopefully the legacy he left behind will be a strong goalkeeping team to lead Liverpool into the next stage in their history.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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