The father of a Liverpool player is currently the fifth-longest serving manager in England’s top four divisions.
There are several famous father-son combinations across sport, and particularly in football.
Examples include Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and his father, Alf-Inge, who also represented the Premier League side as well as Leeds United during his playing career.
Current Celtic goalkeeper and 2015/16 Premier League winner with Leicester City, Kasper Schmeichel, followed in his father Peter’s footsteps by becoming a professional keeper.
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Of course, Peter is considered to be one of the best shot stoppers of all time and won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one UEFA Champions League, just to name a few of his Manchester United triumphs.
Other examples include Barcelona and Ajax legend Johan Cruyff and his son Jordi, who also represented Man United.
While former Juventus and France defender Lilian Thuram’s sons, Marcus and Khephren, play for Inter and Juve.
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However, a lesser-known father and son combination involves a current Liverpool first-team player.
Last night, Reds goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who joined on a free transfer from Preston North End in the summer, made his debut for the Merseyside club during their 3-0 Carabao Cup fourth round defeat to Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, his father, Andy, was probably getting ready for Bromley’s FA Cup first round match against Bristol Rovers this Saturday.
Andy has been the head coach of the League Two since March 2021, which makes him the fifth-longest serving manager in England’s top four leagues behind Simon Weaver, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Nigel Clough.
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Andy, like Freddie, was a goalkeeper during his playing career, during which he came through the ranks at Palace before representing clubs such as Northampton Town, Brentford and Oxford United.
The 54-year-old even persuaded his son to sign for Liverpool in the summer, with Freddie revealing what his dad said when they first learned of the Reds’ interest.
Speaking to Liverpool’s website earlier this week, Freddie said: “I had other options, but my dad said to me, ‘How do you turn down Liverpool? You just can’t do it.’
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“I’m very happy with my decision because l get to work with the best players in the world and I get to work up close with Ali and Giorgi, who are top goalkeepers who I think are only going to make me better and help my development.”
Freddie’s godfather is former England head coach Sir Gareth Southgate, as he played with Andy at the Eagles.
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Gareth Southgate
Luke Davies