The Spaniard previously worked at Liverpool between 2007 and 2010 Mike Egerton - PA Images/Getty ImagesJuly 6, 2026 Updated 1:46 pm EDTXavi Valero has stepped down as Liverpool’s head of first-team goalkeeper coaching.The experienced Spanish coach will not be part of new head coach Andoni Iraola’s backroom staff when pre-season training gets underway at Kirkby next week.Valero informed Liverpool before the end of last season that he wanted to return to his homeland — only 12 months after rejoining the club from West Ham United. His departure is unrelated to the sacking of Arne Slot and the parting of the ways is understood to be amicable.Liverpool are assessing the merits of a number of candidates as they look to appoint Valero’s successor. Colin Stewart, who is the club’s goalkeeper development and pathway lead, will fill the void on a temporary basis. Stewart joined Liverpool last summer after nine years at Scottish side Rangers.
Long-serving No 1 Alisson will miss the start of pre-season as he enjoys a break following his World Cup commitments with Brazil, who were beaten in the last 16 by Norway on Sunday. The club’s senior goalkeeping group also includes Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi.Valero was part of Rafael Benitez’ backroom staff at Liverpool between 2007 and 2010 before going on to work with the Spaniard at Inter, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid.He later spent seven years at West Ham before being recruited by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes last summer after the departure of head of first-team goalkeeper coaching Fabian Otte, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur.Iraola has brought four staff members with him from Bournemouth. Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper joined as first-team coaches with Pablo de la Torre as assistant coach, and Tom Webber as first-team tactical analyst.There were some significant gaps to fill after coaches Sipke Hulshoff, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ruben Peeters — as well as first-team tactical analyst Roderick van der Ham — all followed Slot out of the club in late May.Liverpool’s individual development lead coach Luiz Fernando Iubel, a key link between the senior and academy set-ups, is staying on as part of the new era at Anfield. The highly-rated Brazilian was recruited by Fenway Sports Group technical director Julian Ward in September last year after a spell as assistant coach of Atletico Mineiro.
