Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Wed 3 June 2026 14:15, UK

Aston Villa signed Tommy Elphick in 2016 and now he’s set to take up a job at Liverpool. 

The Englishman became the skipper at Villa Park as life in the Championship got underway in underwhelming fashion.

He was coming off the back of a promotion-winning campaign with Bournemouth, but struggled to reach those heights in B6. 

The centre-back went on to retire five years after his Midlands switch before taking up a coaching role with the Cherries.

Elphick is now set for a move to Liverpool as his career takes a new direction after a stint at the Vitality Stadium. 

Tommy Elphick to become Liverpool coach imminently

There were high expectations when the then 28-year-old became Roberto di Matteo’s first signing at Villa Park.

He cut his honeymoon short that summer, but likely regretted that call after a frustrating stint under the Italian and then Steve Bruce. 

Things just didn’t work out, and he was ultimately shipped on multiple loans before returning to make a difference in the promotion-winning season. 

The defender eventually departed on a free transfer to Huddersfield Town, where he would retire in 2021. 

He started his coaching role at Bournemouth just a year later, and things have certainly gone well. 

The 38-year-old is departing the Vitality this summer but is now set to join Andoni Iraola at Liverpool.

David Ornstein reported on Tuesday that the Spaniard has agreed to take over at Anfield and is ready to sign a two-year contract.

🚨 Liverpool reach verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola to become head coach. Set to sign 2yr contract (same as #AFCB deals) & wants Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, Tom Webber on staff. #LFC plan to present 43yo by end of week @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/uYB8DBzOWR

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 2, 2026

The 43-year-old will once again link up with the former defender, Pablo de la Torre, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber on the coaching staff on Merseyside.

Elphick is best known for his Villa, Bournemouth and Brighton days but is now preparing for a new adventure with the two-time Premier League champions. 

Elphick will always be appreciated at Aston Villa

It may seem strange to some that the Englishman would have a positive relationship with the B6 despite a largely disappointing move in 2016.

Things just never worked out for him, as Bruce seemingly didn’t rate him, for whatever reason. 

That saw him shipped out on loan to Hull City in 2018, leaving Mile Jedinak to feature as an unorthodox centre-back in the squad. 

#WelcomeTommy

Hull City are delighted to confirm the signing of @AVFCOfficial defender Tommy Elphick on a season-long loan.#hcafc | #theTigers pic.twitter.com/6WIBEydfDG

— Hull City (@HullCity) August 31, 2018

Dean Smith brought Elphick back and utilised him in the months before Villa were ultimately promoted back to the Premier League.

Although it wasn’t the dream spell for the Englishman in the Midlands, he certainly played a part in getting the Villans back to the top flight.