Pep Lijnders may have Jurgen Klopp to thank after the former Liverpool boss played a huge role in his assistant bagging a new job at Manchester City.
Lijnders, who was of course Klopp’s right-hand man for much of the German’s time in charge at Anfield, has been confirmed as Pep Guardiola’s new assistant at the Etihad Stadium. Both he and former Liverpool analyst James French join City as part of a major shake-up of the backroom staff.
Guardiola will hope Lijnders can bring the same know-how that helped Liverpool to become champion of Europe, the world and the Premier League during his time on Merseyside as City looks to close the gap on Arne Slot’s Reds next season.
Lijnders’ return to England will no doubt come as a surprise to many Liverpool fans, just a year on from his departure alongside Klopp from Anfield. Since then, he has been manager at Red Bull Salzburg, although his time there did not go to plan as he found himself out of work just a few months later.
Having been released from his contract by the Austrian club though, the 42-year-old is now back in work with the Reds’ rivals, with Klopp playing a big part in him securing his new role alongside his long-time rival.
According to The Athletic, Guardiola called Klopp to get the lowdown on Lijnders after speaking to former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana.
Pep Guardiola called Jurgen Klopp before appointing Pep Lijnders as his new assistant
Pep Guardiola called Jurgen Klopp before appointing Pep Lijnders as his new assistant (Image: Getty Images)
The German gave his former assistant a glowing review, with Klopp praising his contribution in helping the Reds to their various successes over the years, including of course their Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
That wasn’t the only part Klopp would play in Lijnders’ appointment, with the Dutchman then calling his former boss to tell him he had decided to join City, as well as speaking to current Liverpool boss Slot out of respect.
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It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Klopp gave Guardiola a glowing review of Lijnders, even given the rivalry that developed between Liverpool and City during their time going head-to-head in the Premier League.
It’s clear the former Reds boss has maintained a great relationship with his former assistant - perhaps helped by the fact he avoided having to make a decision on his position at Salzburg.
But Klopp has never shied away from praising Lijnders for his role in Liverpool’s success over the years.
"The most influential guy in the last years at this club was definitely Pep Lijnders," Klopp said before his departure from Anfield. "The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional."