Pep Lijnders left Liverpool back in 2024 following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to exit Anfield and he has now reappeared somewhere very surprising after a false start in his first managerial job
Former Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders has gone against his word by completing a sensational move to Manchester City. The Dutchman left Anfield last summer as he followed the outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp out of the door.
Lijnders had enjoyed two spells on Merseyside having initially joined under Brendan Rodgers, while he was a trusted ally of Klopp. Following his exit, the 42-year-old very quickly found a new job having been appointed as Red Bull Salzburg manager.
But that move did not go according to plan as he was sacked after just 29 games. Lijnders has now found another new role after being appointed as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants at Man City.
He is one of two new coaches appointed at the Etihad, with James French being confirmed as a set-piece coach. 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.
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“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.”
Lijnders new job sees him go against the promise that he made to his ex-Liverpool boss Klopp. Upon leaving Anfield, he claimed that he would never be an assistant to anyone else and was solely focusing on his own managerial career.
He said: “10 years of the club and my boys don’t know anything else, they are Scousers. I owe this club everything. They don’t owe me anything, to be honest.
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“It’s 10 years full of dedication. I always said I will finish with Jurgen (Klopp); the moment I will not assist anyone else, that’s the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case. So when we spoke, it was clear for me: OK, then I go and manage, and we end this project together [that] we started.
“It’s not easy. My boys, my wife; my boys are two proper Scousers and their whole life they will be. Maybe posh ones! But still! I cannot say thank you enough to everybody involved.”
While Lijnders has bounced from the hotseat back to the assistant’s chair, Klopp has also changed career direction. He is currently the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and has hinted that he may never return to management.
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