Liverpool appoint Sean O'Driscoll as assistant manager

Brendan Rodgers says the appointment of Sean O'Driscoll as his new assistant manager can take Liverpool in a new technical direction.

The former England under-19 boss will be joined on Rodgers’ new-look coaching staff by Pepijn Lijnders, who will take up the newly-created position of first-team development coach.

Sky sources understand the club are also looking to appoint a first-team coach.

The move to appoint O'Driscoll comes following the sackings of former Anfield No 2 Colin Pascoe and first-team coach Mike Marsh in June in the wake of an end-of-season review into the club's failure to retain Champions League football after a sixth-placed Premier League finish.

Former Bristol City and Nottingham Forest manager O’Driscoll only took up his role with England last September but will vacate that position to join Rodgers at Anfield.

Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com: "I have made these appointments because I want to take us in a new technical direction, in terms of coaching.

"I believe the entire first-team set-up will benefit and I am extremely positive and excited about what we can achieve, as a group, going forward.

"My admiration for Sean, as a professional, is well documented. He is someone with a clear vision and philosophy and has proved he has the ability to transfer that knowledge, through his coaching, to the players.

"I am looking forward to working with him and also learning from his experiences and gaining valuable knowledge from his expertise."

Iconic

O'Driscoll, who has also had spells in charge of Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers, said he was looking forward to getting started at Liverpool.

He said: "I am excited to be joining one of the world's most iconic football clubs. The hallmark of any successful club is its culture and that comes from the people who work there, from the chief executive and first-team manager to those people behind the scenes whose faces may not be known but who are the lifeblood of the club.

"From the moment I drove into Melwood last week and was greeted by Kenny the gateman, I could not have been made to feel more welcome. If you are going to have any level of success these people are as crucial as the players; from my experiences so far it is clear everyone wants to help this club succeed."

Lijnders, who has been promoted from his position as academy coach, will join O'Driscoll and the squad at Melwood for the first day of pre-season training.

Excelled

The Dutchman, who held roles at PSV Eindhoven and FC Porto prior to joining Liverpool in 2014, oversaw the development of the club's U16 group last season.

He will continue to work with the elite talent at the academy as part of his new role, which the club say has been created in line with the new technical approach to coaching undertaken at Anfield.

Rodgers said: "This presents a fantastic opportunity for Pep and one I know he will grasp with both hands.

"He has excelled at the academy and I believe this is the perfect time for him to make the step up to the first-team set-up and use his talents for the benefit of the senior squad.

"Pep displays a passion and enthusiasm for his profession that is truly infectious and I believe will have a positive impact."

Lijnders said: "I feel proud and honoured to work closely with Brendan and his staff. I couldn't think of a better attacking manager to assist.

"Everybody knows how I feel about representing this amazing club. The owners have a clear and strong philosophy which is based on developing top young players into elite - I want to thank them for giving me this opportunity.

"I had a great first year at the Liverpool FC Academy; Alex (Inglethorpe) and his coaching staff are creating something unique there. Again, I am proud to be part of the team and we will give everything."