James Pearce confirms Liverpool signing that will lead to a new role for one individual at Anfield.
Liverpool Confirm New Addition to Backroom Team Ahead of Transfer Deadline
Liverpool have officially added a new member to their staff at Anfield during the final days of the summer transfer window.
Arne Slot’s squad has seen significant changes since the end of last season, with several players coming in and out. Further movement is still possible, with continued interest in Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi. Changes haven’t just been limited to the playing squad — Slot’s coaching team has also evolved. After Johnny Heitinga departed to manage Ajax, his assistant role was filled by former Rangers and Feyenoord boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Luiz Fernando Iubel Joins Liverpool’s Coaching Staff
As revealed by James Pearce in The Athletic, Liverpool have appointed Luiz Fernando Iubel as their new individual development lead coach. The 36-year-old Brazilian joins from Atletico Mineiro, where he served as an assistant coach, and will take over from Aaron Briggs in this position.
Briggs, who joined Liverpool 13 months ago, will now transition into a dedicated first-team set piece coach role — a responsibility he’s unofficially handled to great effect since his arrival.
Iubel was selected following an intensive, four-stage global recruitment process led by Slot and senior club figures. He brings with him a strong reputation for nurturing young talent in Brazil, having helped develop players like Igor Paixao (now at Marseille) and Igor Jesus (now at Nottingham Forest).
In his new role, Iubel will work across Liverpool’s first team, U21s, and U18s, while also helping support players on loan as they transition toward senior-level football.
A Promising Addition for Player Development
Before joining Atletico Mineiro, Iubel had multiple stints as interim head coach at Cuiaba in Brazil, building an impressive record, particularly in youth development. He now has the opportunity to shape the progression of Liverpool’s rising talents, such as Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni — both of whom have already made notable impressions with the senior squad, especially Ngumoha’s standout moment earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Briggs’ shift into an official set piece role is a deserved recognition of his work over the past year. Pearce has previously highlighted him as a smart appointment by the club during the 2024/25 campaign.
While Arne Slot will naturally receive much of the attention for Liverpool’s on-pitch results, the support of a capable backroom team remains essential. The addition of Iubel appears to be another calculated and promising move by the club — one that could pay off significantly in the development of Liverpool’s next generation of stars.
