Pep Guardiola reveals private Jurgen Klopp talks after Liverpool promise broken

Manchester City have added Pep Lijnders, the former No 2 to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, to Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff as permission was sought before doing so

Pep Guardiola revealed he asked Jurgen Klopp his permission before appointing Pep Lijnders to his coaching staff. Lijnders was one of former Liverpool boss Klopp’s most trusted allies during their time at Anfield when they were also Manchester City’s biggest rivals.

They locked horns on and off the pitch and therefore it was a major shock when City boss Guardiola appointed Lijnders this summer. Dutchman Lijnders will be Juanma Lillo’s replacement at Manchester City and he will be keen to stamp his authority on how they play this season.

But despite Klopp long since leaving Liverpool and Lijnders took another job as Red Bull Salzburg boss in the meantime and was sacked in December, Guardiola still felt the need to get Klopp’s permission.

Guardiola, talking ahead of City’s Club World Cup opening fixture with Wydad in Philadelphia, “We had a conversation withn Jurgen but not about Pep. It was a long conversation. I suggested I was thinking about Pep and he gave me his high opinion. After I took time to reflect.

“I was in touch with Pep. I asked permission from Jurgen of course, I didn’t want to interfere. I asked if it would be a problem and he said absolutely not. After one or two days we decided yes.

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“I’m a fortunate guy with my assistants in my career: everybody helped me incredibly. They made me a better manager. I’m pretty sure Kolo Toure and especially Pep will. His knowledge, I drink from his knowledge. We talk a lot about football/training, he’s been inspiring for me. I am so lucky to work and learn from so many great coaches during my time here.”

Lijnders had enjoyed two spells on Merseyside having initially joined under Brendan Rodgers before he became 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. 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.

“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.” However, he has broken his promise by returning to the Premier League to help out Guardiola.

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