[h=3]Hyypia adds former colleagues to backroom team[/h]12:29pm Friday 27th June 2014 in Sport By Andy Naylor
Sammy Lee, Albion's new assistant manager
New Albion boss Sami Hyypia has named former Liverpool colleague Sammy Lee as his assistant.
Hyypia's ex-Finland international team-mate Antti Niemi has also been confirmed as goalkeeping coach.
Lee has left his role in Bolton's academy coaching set-up to be reunited with Hyypia.
Niemi has coached in Finland and with the national team since hanging up his gloves after spells in England with Southampton, Fulham and Portsmouth.
Assistant head coach turned first team coach Nathan Jones and strength and conditioning coach Thomas Barnden, promoted from the academy, complete Hyypia's backroom team.
The Finn said: "I am delighted Sammy and Antti have accepted our offer and I am very pleased to welcome them to the club. Together with Nathan and Tom, they will form our first team coaching group.
"I know both Sammy and Antti well, having been at Liverpool when Sammy was assistant manager, and I played alongside Antti for the Finnish national team.
"They are two great characters and will bring a great deal to the club, to the players and to me personally as manager.
"Sammy's and Antti's coaching credentials are first rate and they complement Nathan's coaching abilities and Tom’s experience and knowledge of the physical preparation necessary for players. I'm looking forward to working with all four coaches.
"Sammy has played and coached at the top level of football domestically and with England. Antti has played in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, so he knows British football very well. Since he retired from playing, he has coached in Finland and also with the national team."
Lee arrives with broad experience from his time at Bolton, where he was also a player, manager and assistant.
The 55-year-old was assistant manager to Gerard Houllier at Liverpool during Hyypia's time at Anfield, a role he combined with England coach under Sven Goran Eriksson.
Lee has been appointed after former Bayer Leverkusen accomplice Jan Moritz Lichte turned down the chance to be reunited with Hyypia at the Amex for family reasons.
Niemi, 42, also played in Scotland for Rangers and Hearts and has coached at his first club HJK Helsinki.
Original article
New Albion boss Sami Hyypia has named former Liverpool colleague Sammy Lee as his assistant.
Hyypia's ex-Finland international team-mate Antti Niemi has also been confirmed as goalkeeping coach.
Lee has left his role in Bolton's academy coaching set-up to be reunited with Hyypia.
Niemi has coached in Finland and with the national team since hanging up his gloves after spells in England with Southampton, Fulham and Portsmouth.
Assistant head coach turned first team coach Nathan Jones and strength and conditioning coach Thomas Barnden, promoted from the academy, complete Hyypia's backroom team.
The Finn said: "I am delighted Sammy and Antti have accepted our offer and I am very pleased to welcome them to the club. Together with Nathan and Tom, they will form our first team coaching group.
"I know both Sammy and Antti well, having been at Liverpool when Sammy was assistant manager, and I played alongside Antti for the Finnish national team.
"They are two great characters and will bring a great deal to the club, to the players and to me personally as manager.
"Sammy's and Antti's coaching credentials are first rate and they complement Nathan's coaching abilities and Tom’s experience and knowledge of the physical preparation necessary for players. I'm looking forward to working with all four coaches.
"Sammy has played and coached at the top level of football domestically and with England. Antti has played in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, so he knows British football very well. Since he retired from playing, he has coached in Finland and also with the national team."
Lee arrives with broad experience from his time at Bolton, where he was also a player, manager and assistant.
The 55-year-old was assistant manager to Gerard Houllier at Liverpool during Hyypia's time at Anfield, a role he combined with England coach under Sven Goran Eriksson.
Lee has been appointed after former Bayer Leverkusen accomplice Jan Moritz Lichte turned down the chance to be reunited with Hyypia at the Amex for family reasons.
Niemi, 42, also played in Scotland for Rangers and Hearts and has coached at his first club HJK Helsinki.
Original article