Liverpool’s long-serving goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season in a further shakeup to the backroom staff.
Achterberg has been a coach at Liverpool since 2009, starting with the academy before joining the first-team staff in the summer of 2011. During that time, the 52-year-old has served under three different managers in Sir Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.
But rather than continue into a fourth reign when compatriot Arne Slot arrives from Feyenoord this summer, Achterberg has opted to follow Klopp out of the door. Assistant manager Pep Lijnders and elite development coach Vitor Matos are already confirmed to be moving on as well.
“After 15 years at the club, I have decided with a heavy heart to leave LFC,” Achterberg, who first moved to Merseyside in 1998 as a player with Tranmere Rovers, posted on Instagram.
“It has been an unbelievable and great journey for me and my family. I have loved each day working at this amazing club, but after a long think I feel it could be right for me to start a new challenge.
“I would like to thank FSG for all the support during those 15 years – Mike Gordon, John Henry, Tom Werner and Billy Hogan. It has been a privilege to work for the biggest and greatest club in world football with its amazing supporters. Whether theyare Scouse or non-Scouse, I loved them all worldwide.
“A massive thank you goes to our manager Jurgen Klopp. What joy he gives to all of us. Klopp has fulfilled all our dreams at LFC. He is one of [the] best managers in the history of the city, the club and world football. He created world-class teams with his man-management skills, he brought us back to being believers, winners, and a force in European and world football.
“For me personally, I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done for me and my family, for the trust he gave me to do my job to the best I can, the joy, inspiration and the great leadership.”
Achertberg worked with goalkeepers Pepe Reina, Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius at Liverpool, but enjoyed his best success coaching Brazilian stopper Alisson since 2018.