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Andoni Iraola is taking shape both on and off the pitch. While much of the attention this summer has focused on transfer targets, player departures and pre-season preparations, another important part of the club’s rebuild has quietly taken place behind the scenes. Soon after taking charge at Anfield, Iraola confirmed the appointments of Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, Pablo de la Torre and Tom Webber as key members of his Liverpool coaching staff.
The quartet followed the Spaniard from AFC Bournemouth to Merseyside, bringing familiarity, experience and a shared football philosophy that could play a major role in Liverpool’s ambitions for the 2026/27 season. Now, speaking openly about his coaching team for the first time, Iraola has revealed exactly why these appointments were so important and why he believes they will help Liverpool compete at the highest level.
A New Era Requires a Trusted Team
Every successful football manager relies on more than tactical ideas. Behind every winning team is a coaching staff capable of turning those ideas into reality every single day on the training ground. For Iraola, bringing trusted colleagues to Liverpool was never simply a preference. It was a necessity. Rather than starting from scratch in a new environment, the 44-year-old wanted familiar faces who already understood his methods, expectations and football philosophy.
That continuity allows Liverpool’s new coaching team to begin work immediately without spending months adapting to each other. Speaking about the appointments, Iraola explained just how valuable that continuity has been throughout his coaching career.
“For me, it was important they came with me.”
That simple statement speaks volumes about the trust he has built with his coaching group over many years.
Pablo de la Torre Is More Than a Fitness Coach
One of the most significant members of Iraola’s backroom staff is Pablo de la Torre. Although officially responsible for physical preparation, Iraola made it clear that his colleague’s influence extends far beyond fitness work. The pair have worked together throughout most of Iraola’s coaching journey, creating a relationship built on complete understanding.
The Liverpool head coach explained:
“Pablo is a physical coach but has been with me almost all the years I have been coaching.”
He continued:
“So for me, he is much more than a physical coach really. He is an assistant and we know each other very well.”
That level of familiarity gives Liverpool a significant advantage. Instead of needing lengthy discussions about tactical principles or training methods, both coaches already share the same football language. It allows decisions to be made quickly and efficiently.
How Bournemouth Changed Everything
Interestingly, Iraola admitted that circumstances during his Bournemouth spell unexpectedly strengthened his coaching staff. When he first arrived on England’s south coast, he was unable to work with his former assistant, Inigo Perez. Although initially disappointing, that situation ultimately introduced him to Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper.
The Liverpool boss reflected on that period with honesty.
“I was very lucky with Tommy and Shaun when I arrived at Bournemouth.”
He also wished his former assistant well.
“After it, it worked out very well for him because now he is coaching Villarreal. Maybe we play him in the Champions League.”
Football often produces unexpected opportunities, and for Iraola, losing one trusted assistant opened the door to discovering two more outstanding coaches.
Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper Earned Iraola’s Trust
Many Liverpool supporters may know Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper from their playing careers at Bournemouth. However, Iraola sees them first and foremost as exceptional coaches. He explained that after working alongside them, he never felt the need to recruit another assistant manager.
“When I had Tommy and Shaun there, we did not feel the need to send in another assistant.”
That speaks volumes about the confidence he has in both men. Rather than simply supporting sessions, Elphick and Cooper became central figures in every aspect of Bournemouth’s coaching operation. Now they bring that same experience to Liverpool.
Their Knowledge of English Football Is Invaluable
One of the biggest challenges facing any foreign manager entering English football is understanding the culture. Football in England is unique. The pace, intensity, expectations and even player personalities often differ from those found elsewhere in Europe. Iraola credits Elphick and Cooper with helping him adapt quickly.
He explained:
“They were very prepared, they were very helpful for me in terms of understanding the English culture, the mentality of the players.”
The support extended beyond tactics. The pair also helped Iraola understand what players enjoyed in training, how sessions should be structured and even small cultural differences between England and Spain. Those details may appear insignificant, but over the course of a long season they can make a huge difference.
Former Players Bring Instant Credibility
Another major advantage is the playing experience both coaches possess. Tommy Elphick enjoyed successful spells with Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Brighton and Huddersfield, while Shaun Cooper captained Bournemouth during his own playing career. Their experiences allow them to connect naturally with modern footballers. Iraola joked that some younger Liverpool players may not even realise he once enjoyed a successful playing career himself.
Speaking about his coaching staff, he said:
“They can be in a closer position to the players.”
He added with a smile:
“I am a little bit older. Some of the players maybe didn’t know I was a player.”
That blend of personalities creates an ideal coaching environment. Players receive guidance from coaches who understand the modern game from both tactical and personal perspectives.
Shared Football Ideas Will Benefit Liverpool
Perhaps the most encouraging part of Iraola’s comments concerns the coaching staff’s shared football philosophy. Successful teams require everyone pulling in the same direction. Different opinions remain important, but everyone must ultimately believe in the same style of football. According to Iraola, his coaching team sees the game through very similar eyes.
“They are very good to me, they are very good coaches.”
He continued:
“We kind of understand the game similarly.”
That common understanding should help Liverpool establish a clear identity much faster.
Training sessions become more consistent. Players receive the same messages regardless of which coach is leading drills. Consistency often becomes one of the biggest foundations for long-term success.
Every Coach Has a Specific Role
Although the coaches share similar football principles, each member of the backroom team has clearly defined responsibilities. Iraola revealed that Elphick and Cooper play significant roles in Liverpool’s set-piece work, while every coach contributes different strengths to the overall structure. That division of responsibilities allows Liverpool to maximise every training session. Rather than trying to do everything himself, Iraola empowers trusted colleagues to oversee key areas of preparation. It reflects the collaborative approach that has become increasingly common among elite football clubs.
Why This Could Shape Liverpool’s Future
Supporters often judge a manager by transfers, tactics and match results. However, many of football’s greatest successes begin behind closed doors. Liverpool’s decision to allow Iraola to assemble his preferred coaching staff could prove one of the smartest moves of the summer. With trusted assistants beside him, the Spaniard can focus entirely on implementing his ideas while knowing every member of his coaching team understands exactly what is expected. That stability becomes especially valuable during difficult moments across a long campaign.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool’s rebuild under Andoni Iraola extends far beyond new player signings. By bringing Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, Pablo de la Torre and Tom Webber to Anfield, the club has assembled a coaching team built on trust, experience and shared ambition. Iraola’s glowing praise for his colleagues reveals just how highly he values their contribution. They are not simply assistants following a manager from one club to another. They are experienced coaches who have already helped shape Iraola’s football philosophy and who now carry the responsibility of helping Liverpool compete for the biggest trophies once again.
As pre-season continues and the new Premier League campaign approaches, Liverpool supporters can feel encouraged that the foundations are already being built behind the scenes. Sometimes the most important summer signings are not the players who walk onto the pitch, but the coaches working tirelessly every day to make the entire team better. For Iraola, that process has already begun.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com