New goalkeeping coach

[magneto]

Seems as though the rumours of Ocho leaving were true..

 

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Xavi Valero as their new first team Goalkeeping Coach. The 34 year old takes over the role from Jose Ochotorena who is returning to work in Spain at Valencia.

Valero began his professional career as a goalkeeper with Castellon in 1992, before moving onto Mallorca, Logrones, Murcia, Cordoba and Recreativo de Huelva in Spain.

 

He also spent a short time with Wrexham where he put into practice the English he had studied at the University of Castellon. He holds a Master in Goalkeeper Coaching from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and a Master of Sports Psychology from Madrid Univeristy (UNED). Valero previously worked with Jose Ochotorena at Logrones.

 

He said "I am proud and pleased to be part of the fantastic backroom staff at Liverpool FC and to be continuing the excellent work that Ocho has set up here. I remember playing for a short time in the UK and I think Liverpool has the most exciting future. I am delighted to be here"

 

Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez added: "Xavi is an important addition to our backroom staff and I'm looking forward to working with him. Having trained with Ochotorena before, Xavi understands very well the way we think and he is ideally suited to carrying on all the good work that he has done.

 

"I also want to say thank you to Ocho for all his hard work over the past three years and wish him all the best for the future."

[R A Softlad]

Ouch...

[magneto]

I wonder how you assess whether one goalkeeping coach is better than another? 2005 isn't too long ago but that's him as a player.

 

As long as he's as good as Ocho then no probs.

[Guest Linton]

I would have preferred if we had signed someone more highprofile to coach one of the best young GK in the world. But Rafa probably knows what he is doing on this one.

[Atticus Finch]

I would have preferred if we had signed someone more highprofile to coach one of the best young GK in the world. But Rafa probably knows what he is doing on this one.

 

Not having a dig, but I'm curious if you could name a "high profile" goalkeeping coach. And if you mean someone that once was a great goalkeeper that is a different kettle of fish - some of the best players make awful coaches as we all know.

 

This guy has worked with Ocho before (and hence continuity), has got some academic qualifications as well as his coaching qualifications - as you say Rafa probably knows what he is doing

[Guest Linton]

Not having a dig, but I'm curious if you could name a "high profile" goalkeeping coach.

 

 

Ray Clemence. For example.

[RP]

I would have preferred if we had signed someone more highprofile to coach one of the best young GK in the world.

 

Cos that's all that matters. No interest if you're any good or not as long as you're a household name. The New Liverpool Way.

 

[Guest Linton]

Cos that's all that matters. No interest if you're any good or not as long as you're a household name. The New Liverpool Way.

 

 

 

I didn't say it was all that mattered? Where did I say that. I said what I preferred. Would you have liked to have Gary Sprake as our new GK-coach?

[RP]

I didn't say it was all that mattered? Where did I say that. I said what I preferred. Would you have liked to have Gary Sprake as our new GK-coach?

 

What relevance is the 'profile' of a goalkeeping coach? Do you want him in Hello magazine every week? Would that help?

[Guest Linton]

What relevance is the 'profile' of a goalkeeping coach? Do you want him in Hello magazine every week? Would that help?

 

I would have preferred a GK-coach who actually has been a classy keeper himself. Not saying that they automatically is better, but I would at least think so. Btw, is there any need to be snidey just becasue we don't have the same opinion?

[RP]

I would have preferred a GK-coach who actually has been a classy keeper himself. Not saying that they automatically is better, but I would at least think so. Btw, is there any need to be snidey just becasue we don't have the same opinion?

 

 

Totally irrelevant what a coach did himself.

 

Who are the best coaches in the UK? Any of them top top players?

[Internationinteroperability]

Totally irrelevant what a coach did himself.

 

Who are the best coaches in the UK? Any of them top top players?

 

You are Big Sam and I claim my £5!

[Guest Linton]

Totally irrelevant what a coach did himself.

 

Who are the best coaches in the UK? Any of them top top players?

 

 

Clemence and Jennings are pretty decent just to name two. I think they played at the highest level...

[RP]

On what basis are you judging their coaching abilities?

[Guest Linton]

On what basis are you judging their coaching abilities?

 

 

On what basis are you juding our new GK-coach's abilities? I didn't say that this is wrong, I trust Rafa. Just said what I would have liked. Stop being a f***in t*** about it.

[RP]

On what basis are you juding our new GK-coach's abilities? I didn't say that this is wrong, I trust Rafa. Just said what I would have liked. Stop being a f***in t*** about it.

 

 

I am not judging him at all.

 

It is YOU saying you'd rather someone more high-profile. My point being that it is totally irrelevant. But maybe you're right. Sky has changed the game a lot.

[Guest Linton]

I get your point all I'm saying is that I would trust the judgement better of a coach that has actually been a top keeper himself. This one hasn't, but that doesn't mean he isn't an excellent coach. But if I had the choice between, let's say Peter Schmeichel and Massimo Taibi, I know which one I would choose. Just an example.

[Benitez]

how is this different to having a manager who's not been a top player? Cos if that is a concern, we better get rid of Rafa now

 

This guy may just happen to be a very good teacher, he may know the intricacies of the position, and the technicalities of being a goalie - and has the ability to teach it to others.

[muleskinner]

Was Ochtorena a good keeper?

[Falconhoof]

I get your point all I'm saying is that I would trust the judgement better of a coach that has actually been a top keeper himself. This one hasn't, but that doesn't mean he isn't an excellent coach. But if I had the choice between, let's say Peter Schmeichel and Massimo Taibi, I know which one I would choose. Just an example.

 

Whichever of them had the best record as a goalkeeping coach, the best reputation and qualifications as a coach ?

[Rimbeux]

I get your point all I'm saying is that I would trust the judgement better of a coach that has actually been a top keeper himself. This one hasn't, but that doesn't mean he isn't an excellent coach. But if I had the choice between, let's say Peter Schmeichel and Massimo Taibi, I know which one I would choose. Just an example.

 

 

Coaching and doing are very different skills, that actually have little to do with each other

[Guest Kaizer]

Coaching and doing are very different skills, that actually have little to do with each other

 

Both Rafa and Mourinho should be good examples of exactly that with Souness on the other end of the ladder.

Edited July 14, 2007 by Kaizer

[_00_deathscar]

Coaching and doing are very different skills, that actually have little to do with each other

 

Case in point - all those nerdy, wacky Physics phD professors at universities, who're smart as f*** but couldn't teach E=mc^2 to their students if their life depended upon it.

 

On the other hand, TA's are generally very helpful, and my secondary school Physics teacher (a mere masters, no phD's) remains the best teacher I've ever had, as far as actually learning something goes.

[Benitez]

Was Ochtorena a good keeper?

 

 

I think he was. He certainly played at the top level in Spain for a long time with Valencia amongst others, and was in the Spanish squad - although he only won 1 cap.