Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is set to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Liverpool have been extremely active in the transfer market as they look to bolster the squad from the position of strength, having just won their 20th league title.
The Reds announced the signing of Jeremie Frimpong on Friday just hours after Real Madrid announced the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold after Madrid paid Liverpool £8.5m for his early release.
Liverpool are also closing in on Florian Wirtz for a record deal while Milos Kerkez is likely to join the Reds as well.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are regrouping after a disappointing season that saw them finish third and end the campaign without a trophy.
Pep Guardiola is planning a major shake-up, starting with changes to his backroom staff and bringing in Lijnders marks the first step.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
What Pep Lijnders said after leaving Liverpool as he joins Man City
With the wound of Alexander-Arnold’s controversial exit still fresh, the fans have been dealt another shock, as Jurgen Klopp’s former number two is set to switch sides just one year after leaving Liverpool.
What makes this switch to Liverpool’s fierce Premier League rivals even more controversial in the eyes of the supporters is what Lijnders said ahead of leaving the Reds at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The Dutch coach said: “10 years of the club and my boys don’t know anything else, they are Scousers. I owe this club everything. They don’t owe me anything, to be honest.
“It’s 10 years full of dedication. I always said I will finish with Jurgen (Klopp); the moment I will not assist anyone else, that’s the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case. So when we spoke, it was clear for me: OK, then I go and manage, and we end this project together [that] we started.
“It’s not easy. My boys, my wife; my boys are two proper Scousers and their whole life they will be. Maybe posh ones! But still! I cannot say thank you enough to everybody involved.”
What Jurgen Klopp said about Pep Lijnders shows Man City have made a great coup
Lijnders was a key part of the Liverpool coaching staff that went on to win everything there was to win under Jurgen Klopp.
The 42-year-old’s impact was such that many Liverpool fans even tipped him to be Klopp’s successor. Klopp also has spoken very highly of his former colleague, calling him the most influential guy at Liverpool in the last few years. He said (quotes via The Mirror): “The most influential guy in the last years at this club was definitely Pep Lijnders. The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional.”
After leaving Liverpool, he was named the manager of RB Salzburg, but his stint was a failure as he was sacked mid-season after a poor start to the campaign.
With Lijnders set to return as an assistant manager, it remains to be seen how he will impact the way City plays next season.