Liverpool have gone through plenty of changes both on and off the pitch over the last year or so.
Jurgen Klopp chose to resign from his role as manager, which saw Arne Slot and his coaching staff come in and replace what the German had spent years building.
Indeed, many expected Liverpool to be a shadow of their former selves in the 2024-25 season, but instead, they’ve seemingly thrived and have become one of the most dominant teams in the Premier League.
And, while last summer was about changes behind the scenes, this summer it feels like it’s all about changes on the pitch, especially after Jeremie Frimpong’s Anfield switch was confirmed.
Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Many of Klopp’s staff have found new roles since their Merseyside departures, and while most have worked out, there’s a glaringly obvious one which hasn’t.
Pep Lijnders could be trying to forge a sensational Liverpool return with Manchester City move
At the start of the 2024-25 season, Klopp’s right-hand man Pep Lijnders chose to take his first steps into management and take over at RB Salzburg.
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out as he would have wanted, and the Dutchman was sacked for underperformance halfway through the season.
Since then, rumours of a return for Lijnders have emerged after John Heitinga’s Anfield departure, but recently, a shock move to Manchester City has been mentioned.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
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Lijnders has been linked with a move to Man City to join up with Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff, which, when his history with Liverpool is considered, is a rather massive shock.
However, much like Arteta did, the Dutchman could just be building up his knowledge to try and eventually take over Slot when he departs Anfield.
Pep Lijnders has likely ruined his chances of a Liverpool return
Now that Slot is on the hunt for a new assistant manager, Lijnders’ name is obviously one that has cropped up when rumours have emerged.
The Dutchman knows the club inside out, and his relationship with the squad would no doubt make for a seamless transition.
However, with these recent rumours linking him with Man City emerging, it has tarnished any sort of relationship the Dutchman had with the fans, even if he doesn’t take the job.
Games managed Games won Games drawn Games lost
28 13 7 8
The 2024-25 season of Pep Lijnders as manager of RB Salzburg.
Of course, only time will tell what the future holds, but at the moment, it’s hard to see why Slot would look towards his fellow countryman to become his new assistant, even if his end goal is to take over at Liverpool and lead them to glory.
Because, at the end of the day, as soon as a former player or coach joins a rival team, that’s the end of their association with their former club.