Pep Lijnders has risked the wrath of Liverpool fans by joining rivals Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's assistant, however former Red's boss Jurgen Klopp has always kept the same position on the Dutchman
Pep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp stand on the touchline for Liverpool
Pep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp worked together for almost ten years
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is now part of the staff at Premier League rivals Manchester City, and it's clear that Jurgen Klopp believes City are adding a gem of a coach to their set-up. City have confirmed the appointment as part of a staff revamp under Pep Guardiola.
The news has naturally been controversial amongst Reds' fans with Lijnders, 42, such an integral part of Liverpool's success under Klopp. The Dutchman spent almost 10 years at Liverpool, first as part of Brendan Rodgers' backroom staff in 2014 before working under Klopp after the German took over in October 2015.
Lijnders briefly left the Reds for a failed managerial stint at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen at the start of 2018 before coming back to Anfield. Upon his return he helped transform Liverpool into Premier League champions and assisted in delivering the club's sixth European Cup, amongst many other trophies.
Lijnders has now been made assistant coach at City having been out of work since being sacked as manager of Red Bull Salzburg. He was handed his marching orders in December after six months in charge where he won just 13 of his 29 games.
Pep Lijnders, Assistant Manager and Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool pose with the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup Trophy in 2022
Klopp and Lijnders enjoyed huge success together at Liverpool
Yet Klopp has alwasy thought highly of his former right hand man. Upon signing a new deal with Liverpool in 2023, Klopp eulogised over his former assistant.
“As for Pep, wow. I have been lucky enough to meet many, many people in football during my time in the game and I don’t think I have ever met anyone with the energy and enthusiasm he has for this game," he said.
“I think I have said in the past, there is nothing he does not know about this sport. His passion for it is remarkable and his enthusiasm in training each day is infectious"
Upon being given the boot by Salzburg, Klopp again spoke praised his ex-coach: "The most influential guy in the last years at this club was definitely Pep Lijnders," the German said. "The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional."
The move will no doubt irk some fans, with Liverpool and City going toe-to-toe for the league on several occasions in recent years. Lijnders' switch to Manchester also comes after he claimed that he would never work as an assistant manager again.
Jurgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders look on across the Liverpool training pitch
Jurgen Klopp has often praised Pep Lijnders(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC)
“I owe this club everything,” Lijnders told Liverpool's club’s website in February 2024. “They don’t owe me anything, to be honest. It’s 10 years full of dedication.
“I always said I will finish with Jurgen; the moment I will not assist anyone else, that’s the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case."
However, with both solo ventures into management failing, Lijnders is perhaps of the mindset that his skills are more suited as a No. 2. The lure of working with Guardiola is also be a tough opportunity for anyone to turn down.
As well as Lijnders, City have also raided the current Reds staff by taking opposition analyst James French to the Etihad.
The club's director of football Hugo Viana said: “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."