Jurgen Klopp’s return to management is beginning to take shape, with the former Liverpool boss wasting no time in assembling his backroom staff for his new role with Germany.
It emerged earlier today that Jurgen Klopp has agreed to become the next Germany head coach, ending his brief spell away from the dugout.
After stepping down from Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, the 59-year-old took on a senior role within the Red Bull football group, overseeing the company’s global football operations rather than working on the touchline.
However, the opportunity to lead his national team has tempted Klopp back into management, with Germany turning to one of the country’s most successful modern coaches as they look to build towards future international success.
Attention has now shifted towards the staff who will join him for the next chapter of his coaching career.
According to The Athletic, former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has agreed to become part of Klopp’s coaching team with Germany.
The report states: “Pep Lijnders, who served as Klopp’s assistant coach at Liverpool and under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, has also agreed to become part of the new coaching team, whose first game in charge will be the Nations League match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24th.”
Pep Lijnders was an integral figure during Liverpool’s most successful era under Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutch coach played a major role in helping transform the Reds into Premier League and Champions League winners, earning widespread praise for his work on the training ground and his close relationship with the squad.
The pair have worked together for much of the past decade, aside from Lijnders’ recent managerial stint at Red Bull Salzburg and joining Manchester City for Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge.
Klopp and Lijnders’ strong professional relationship has always suggested they could reunite if the opportunity arose.
With Klopp now officially returning to management, bringing trusted figures such as Lijnders into the fold appears a logical move.
Germany’s first match under the new coaching team will come away to the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League on September 24, marking the beginning of what the German Football Association hopes will be a successful new era under the former Liverpool manager.