Liverpool have officially confirmed Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their new assistant coach, with Xavi Valero returning to take charge of the club’s goalkeeping department ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Van Bronckhorst joins Arne Slot’s staff, subject to visa approval, as a replacement for John Heitinga, who left to become Ajax’s head coach.
The former Netherlands international brings plenty of experience, both as a player and manager, having led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2017 and guided Rangers to the Europa League final in 2022.
It’s Van Bronckhorst’s first return to the Premier League since his time as a player at Arsenal. The 50-year-old has also managed in China with Guangzhou R&F and, most recently, had a short spell in Turkey with Besiktas, leaving the club in late 2024. He has been working as a UEFA analyst since the start of this year.
Xavi Valero also returns to Anfield as head of first-team goalkeeper coaching after spending seven years with West Ham United.
The Spaniard previously worked at Liverpool under Rafael Benitez and followed him to clubs like Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid before a stint in China and then the Premier League.
Valero’s return marks a full change in Liverpool’s goalkeeping setup, with both Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel departing the club.
Otte leaves after one season at Anfield, having helped the team win the Premier League in his short spell working under Slot. The former USA national team coach joined Liverpool last summer from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Taffarel, a World Cup winner with Brazil, also moves on after three and a half years at the AXA Training Centre. He worked with the first team under both Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot, helping the club to success in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Premier League.
