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Football

06th Jun 2015

Liverpool are set to add one of Rafa Benitez’s old lieutenants as Brendan Rodgers’ assistant

Melwood return for Spaniard

SportsJOE

After Liverpool’s 6-1 final day thrashing by Stoke City many feared for Brendan Rodgers’ future as manager at Anfield.

But after two-hour end of season review with FSG chairman Tom Werner and Mike Gordon Rodgers kept him job and the trio reportedly agreed a new vision for the future.

Instead Rodgers’ two most prominent coaches – No 2 Colin Pascoe and former midfielder Mike Marsh – have both departed the club in recent days.

Quite why they are the ones to carry the can for such a disappointing season remains a mystery, but what does seem clear is that someone more than familiar with the club is set to return as Rodgers’ assistant.

Pako Ayesteran was Rafael Benitez’s loyal and highly-regarded No2 when the Spaniard arrived at Liverpool in 2004.

Together they guided the club to two Champions League finals in three seasons, before a falling out meant Ayesteran departed before the start of the 2007-08 season.

As well as being held in extremely high regard by the players, Ayesteran was known as an extremely effective fitness coach.

Now it seems the Spaniard, who has just finished as manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv whom he guided to the treble, is returning to Melwood to replace Pascoe as Rodgers’ right-hand man.

Meanwhile, youth team coach Alex Inglethorpe will be promoted to replace Marsh.

Only time will tell whether these coaching changes will arrest Liverpool’s slump.

Hat tip to The Mirror.

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