McMahon handed Liverpool role

08 June 2009 15:20
Liverpool have appointed the younger brother of former Kop favourite Steve McMahon as their new reserve team coach. John McMahon spent eight years coaching at Tranmere before moving to Shrewsbury as first coach and then assistant to manager Paul Simpson. He replaces former Liverpool defender Gary Ablett, who left the club at the end of the season after his contract was not renewed. McMahon said: "If any Premier League club comes knocking at your door it is something that you have to consider, and with it being Liverpool it was a job that I couldn't refuse." He added: "To work with a manager of the quality of Rafa Benitez and an assistant manager like Sammy Lee is brilliant." McMahon's arrival comes as Liverpool are making major changes to their backroom staff. As many as 16 academy employees - including coaches, physiotherapists and sports scientists - have left the club in recent weeks. Liverpool have appointed a new academy director in Frank McParland and a new technical director in Jose Segura, who has worked in Barcelona's youth set-up. McParland said: "Work continues to identify the best possible people to get the academy working properly again and producing players that can progress through to the first team. I hope to be able to confirm other additions to our team within the next month. "We will examine every part of the academy's operation and will be looking to make improvements not just in the coaching set-up, but also in areas such as medical, physio and fitness work. "One new initiative will see the appointment of a head of sports science, who will tailor specific programmes for individual age groups to help them progress more quickly."

Source: Eurosport