Pep Lijnders was considered one of Jurgen Klopp’s closest colleagues however he broke the promise he made the previous Reds boss
Pep Lijnders went from working with Jurgen Klopp to Pep Guardiola(Image: Getty Images)
Pep Lijnders went again on the promise he made Jurgen Klopp by changing into a key confidant of Pep Guardiola. The ex-Liverpool coach left Anfield alongside the German at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Once once more making the enterprise into head teaching, the Dutchman signed a three-year deal at RB Salzburg in May 2024 however lasted just seven months after he was sacked shortly earlier than the flip of the yr.
Opting to remain out of soccer till subsequent summer time, Lijnders’ next role stunned the Liverpool fanbase as he joined Manchester City to grow to be considered one of Guardiola’s assistant managers, alongside former City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure.
In deciding to hitch forces with the legendary Spaniard who labelled Klopp as his greatest-ever rival, Lijnders broke the promise he made to Klopp. After leaving Liverpool for the second time, the 43-year-old insisted he would by no means be an assistant to anybody else and pledged his focus in direction of his managerial profession.
He stated on the time: “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 filled with dedication. I at all times stated I’ll end with Jurgen (Klopp); the second I can’t help anybody else, that’s the second I’ll go and I’ll handle. That was at all times the case. So after we spoke, it was clear for me: OK, then I am going and handle, and we finish this challenge collectively [that] we began.
“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.”
Prior to City’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in February, Guardiola opened up about his choice to rent Lijnders, admitting he felt an instantaneous reference to the Dutchman. The City boss stated: “I had a number of information from different folks about him who had been skilled or managed by him at Liverpool.
“I wanted to refresh myself first with new individuals who have unbelievable data in regards to the sport and the Premier League and I like quite a bit many issues that he did with Jurgen at Liverpool.
“We talked one day, I think we felt connected immediately. I am incredibly lucky that since the first day I started as a manager [with] all my backroom staff and close people and Pep is one of them.”
Lijnders’ contribution to the Citizens this season has already introduced silverware with City defeating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last month. A home cup double continues to be on the playing cards with City internet hosting Liverpool on Saturday within the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
It’ll be Lijnders on the touchline managing City as he goals to knock his ex-club out of the competitors with Guardiola serving a two-match ban.
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