Pepijn Lijnders’ departure from Man City has left the Dutchman without a job again – and he has now been tipped to reunite with Jurgen Klopp in a new role.
Lijnders made the choice to leave Man City along with a number of their coaches in the wake of Pep Guardiola’s resignation.
He had been offered a position on Enzo Maresca’s staff, or alternatively a lead role at one of the other clubs in the City Football Group, but the 43-year-old will instead take time away.
According to the Mail‘s Mike Keegan, there is a belief that Lijnders’ “next step will be to reunite with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, should he take the Germany job at some point.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 29, 2022: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (C) with first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders (L) and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg (R) with the two trophies during a parade around the city after the club won the Cup Double, the FA Cup abd Football League Cup. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If so, it would restore the partnership that brought success back to Anfield over the past decade, with Lijnders instrumental in winning the Premier League, Champions League and six other trophies.
However, it is unclear whether Klopp intends to take over as Germany manager – or if there are even plans to replace Julian Nagelsmann.
Nagelsmann signed a new contract with the national team in January of last year which ties him to the job until after Euro 2028, but there have been suggestions he could return to club management.
Could Klopp replace Nagelsmann as Germany manager?
There are creeping doubts over whether the 38-year-old is the right fit for Germany, but he would not be short of interest if he were to vacate the position.
Klopp has long been touted as future Germany manager and he has refused to rule out a return to coaching despite insisting on a break following his departure from Liverpool.
He currently serves as head of global soccer for Red Bull, overseeing the clubs in their stable – which includes Salzburg, though Klopp was not involved in the decision to sack Lijnders as their head coach in 2024.
Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, Lijnders suggested he was no longer actively seeking a club role.
“My wife and I want a permanent place for our growing sons. Moving back to England for years is no longer an option,” he said.
“Without my family, I wouldn’t do a second year [at City] anyway.”