Here Is The Easy Money-Making Trick Everyone Is Talking About! Learn More Here!
Liverpool have suffered a significant setback as Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s long-time assistant and a vital figure behind the club’s recent success, has officially joined Manchester City.
The Dutch coach, often referred to as part of Klopp’s ‘football brain’, has been appointed as an assistant to Pep Guardiola. His move is seen as a potential boost to City’s hopes of regaining the Premier League title.
Pep Lijnders Joins Guardiola’s Coaching Staff
Manchester City confirmed Lijnders’ appointment on Tuesday in a brief statement. James French also joins City’s backroom team as a set-piece coach, adding further expertise to Guardiola’s setup.
Lijnders, 42, began his journey at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers as a development coach. He quickly rose to prominence under Klopp, contributing to the Reds’ triumphs in the Champions League, Premier League, and other major competitions.
Previous Managerial Stints
Lijnders briefly stepped away from Liverpool in 2018 to manage Dutch side NEC but was dismissed after failing to secure promotion. He returned to Anfield in time to play a key role in the club’s Champions League victory in 2019 and their first league title in 30 years in 2020.
In 2024, Lijnders left Liverpool alongside Klopp to pursue another shot at management with Red Bull Salzburg. However, his tenure in Austria was short-lived. Salzburg dismissed him after 29 games, with the team sitting 10 points off the top at the time. The club later closed the gap and finished second under Thomas Letsch.
Friction with Liverpool Over Bajcetic Loan
Lijnders’ time at Salzburg also caused friction with Liverpool’s hierarchy. Midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who joined Salzburg on loan, was limited to just six league appearances before being recalled and subsequently loaned to Las Palmas.
Klopp’s Praise for Lijnders
During their years together at Liverpool, Klopp consistently highlighted Lijnders’ importance to the team.
“Pep has become unbelievably important in a short time,” Klopp said. “He writes everything down. He is part of ‘the brain’ because he remembers everything we did in previous sessions.”
Klopp added: “He brings the next coaching generation. Pep is our connection to the present and the future — that’s really important.”
City Strengthen in Bid to Reclaim Title
Lijnders’ arrival is seen as a strategic move for Manchester City as they look to reclaim the Premier League crown. His tactical knowledge, detailed approach to training, and fresh ideas could offer City a new edge in the coming season.
Liverpool, now under Arne Slot, will have to navigate this shift as they push forward in their post-Klopp era.
This article was updated 1 week ago