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Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has joined Manchester City as officially confirmed by the club.
The 42-year-old joins the Cityzens after an ill-fated move to RB Salzburg as manager that did not work out for both parties.
After his time in Austria, the Dutchman was tentatively linked with the managers role at Norwich City – but that move did not materialize.
Lijnders is also joined by long-serving Liverpool staff member James French, whose been the Anfield club’s opposition analyst since 2012.
A Manchester City statement read:
“We’re delighted to confirm two key appointments to the first team coaching set-up.”
“Pepijn Lijnders has been appointed as assistant coach while James French joins as set-piece coach.”
“Lijnders arrives at the Etihad armed with extensive elite level coaching experience both in the Premier League as well as on the continent.”
Meanwhile, Man City Director of Football Hugo Viana said:
“We are all delighted that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching set-up.”
“Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years.
“Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.”
“And I have no doubt at all that both will prove to be very important assets for Pep and his coaching team as we prepare for the Club World Cup and then the 2025/26 season.”
These appointments come at a critical juncture for City, who face seven matches in 18 days at the 32-team Club World Cup starting June 15.
While Reds fans may feel like Pep Guardiola has now got one over the Reds, Liverpool have also poached a staff member from Man City.
Football data analyst Laurie Shaw joined Liverpool from City Football Group (CFG) earlier this year.
At CFG, he initially led artificial intelligence initiatives before being promoted to oversee all football data operations across the group’s global network of clubs, including Manchester City
His familiarity with a multi-club setup should prove invaluable as FSG look to replicated what CFG have done in the last 20 or so years.