Jurgen Klopp's former assistant coach, Pep Lijnders, has now linked up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and the Dutchman has long known the German icon's true thoughts of him
Jurgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders look on across the Liverpool training pitch
Jurgen Klopp has always thought highly of Pep Lijnders(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC)
Pep Lijnders, the former assistant manager at Liverpool, has now joined the coaching staff of Premier League rivals Manchester City. And it's clear that Jurgen Klopp believes City are adding a top-class coach to their set-up.
The appointment has been confirmed as part of a staffing reshuffle under Pep Guardiola, but the announcement has stirred controversy among Liverpool fans, given Lijnders' pivotal role in Liverpool's success during Klopp's tenure. The Dutchman spent nearly a decade at Liverpool, initially joining Brendan Rodgers' backroom staff in 2014 before working with Klopp after the German took over in October 2015.
Lijnders briefly left Liverpool for an unsuccessful managerial stint at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in early 2018, only to return to Anfield.
Upon his return, he played a key role in transforming Liverpool into Premier League champions and helped secure the club's sixth European Cup, among other trophies.
Lijnders has now been appointed as assistant coach at City, following his dismissal as manager of Red Bull Salzburg. He was shown the door in December after a six-month tenure where he managed just 13 wins in 29 games.
However, Klopp has always held his former deputy in high regard. Upon signing a new contract with Liverpool in 2023, he sang the praises of his former assistant, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Pep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp stand on the touchline for Liverpool
Pep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp worked together for almost ten years
"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."
After being let go by Salzburg, Klopp once again lauded his former 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 might ruffle a few feathers among fans, given the fierce rivalry between Liverpool and City in recent years. Lijnders' switch to Manchester also comes after he claimed that he would never work as an assistant manager again.
Pep Lijnders, Assistant Manager and Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool pose with the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup Trophy in 2022
Klopp and Pep Lijnders enjoyed great success together at Liverpool
"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, after two unsuccessful stints as a manager, Lijnders may feel that his talents are better utilised in a deputy role. The prospect of working alongside Guardiola could also be too tempting to resist.
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."
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