Introduction
After a challenging period of introspection following his dismissal from Red Bull Salzburg last December, Pep Lijnders is embarking on a new chapter in his coaching career. Once a key assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Lijnders found the abrupt end to his Austrian tenure disheartening, especially after he had invested 18 years honing his craft internationally.
Personal Reflection and Family Time
During his extended break back home in the Netherlands, he cherished family time—helping with school runs, playing chess, and enjoying moments by the river with his wife, Danielle, and their two young boys, Benjamin and Romijn.
Interest from Other Clubs
However, the training ground’s allure soon grew irresistible. Clubs in Portugal expressed interest, while Norwich City initiated discussions for their head coaching vacancy. Despite presenting his vision online to Norwich during their searching process on May 20, the timing felt off, leading the club to ultimately recruit Liam Manning from Bristol City. This uncertainty was compounded by Lijnders remaining on gardening leave from Salzburg, pending financial negotiations regarding his contract.
Opportunity with Manchester City
Everything shifted dramatically on May 27 when Lijnders received a phone call from none other than Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City. With Guardiola revamping his coaching staff after several departures, he sought Lijnders to serve as his assistant—tasking him with designing and executing training regimens akin to those he orchestrated at Liverpool.
The two men engaged in a fruitful half-hour conversation about their shared football philosophies, but Guardiola emphasized the immediate need for Lijnders, particularly with the upcoming Club World Cup where City is set to compete against Moroccan club Wydad AC on June 18.
This immediate engagement would require adjustments to Lijnders’ planned family vacation. While the call was unexpected, Lijnders wasn’t entirely blindsided, having heard from peers that Guardiola was inquiring about his capabilities.
Recognizing a Significant Opportunity
Memories of rivalries brewed during his nine-and-a-half years at Liverpool loomed large, where intense competition with City led to dramatic encounters and near misses for the title. Despite the friction borne from City facing over 100 allegations of financial misconduct, Lijnders recognized this new venture as a chance too significant to overlook.
Guardiola’s diligent preparation for their conversation was evident; he had spoken to former Liverpool player Adam Lallana and even consulted Klopp, both of whom spoke highly of Lijnders’ influence during Liverpool’s glory years. Knowledgeable in Lijnders’ contributions to Liverpool’s multiple titles, Guardiola also reached out to Mark Leyland, a former Liverpool analyst and current head coach methodology leader at City.
Finalizing the Contract
Ultimately, Lijnders expressed verbal agreement to join City, and over the next few days, his agent negotiated the terms of a two-year contract. On May 30, the deal was finalized, solidifying Lijnders’ move to the Etihad. True to form, Lijnders informed Klopp and even spoke with Arne Slot out of courtesy, having a long-standing rapport developed during Slot’s ascent at Liverpool.
Former Liverpool president Mike Gordon reached out to convey gratitude and goodwill, emphasizing the lasting respect between him and Lijnders. By June 4, a settlement with Salzburg was in place, paving the way for Lijnders’ official signing with City, with the club not required to pay any compensation. His official commitment commenced immediately, coinciding with City’s preparations for their imminent transatlantic trip to the U.S.
Looking Ahead
Surprisingly, the notion of Lijnders as Guardiola’s right-hand man would have seemed unlikely just over a year ago as he sought to establish himself as a head coach. He had previously attracted interest from various clubs, including Ajax and Porto, but he believed Salzburg aligned well with his philosophy and aspirations, specifically their commitment to nurturing young players.
Lijnders’ reign in Austria began with promise, leading Salzburg through the Champions League qualifiers, but injuries and poor form quickly thwarted progress, ultimately resulting in his mid-December dismissal. He had felt he could turn things around given the upcoming break and returning players, but the club’s decision was a realization of lost faith from management.
In the months following, a period of reflection helped Lijnders reassess his coaching methods while avoiding a hasty return to management. As he prepares for this new role, Lijnders remains focused on his long-term aspirations and aims to balance his family life, which will stay based in the Netherlands as he takes on this new responsibility with Manchester City.
His transition marks a new level of professional allegiance amid the ever-evolving landscape of football rivalries, where Lijnders will now strategize against his former club, Liverpool. Though some might raise eyebrows at his switch, he embraces this challenge, fully aware that in the world of football, it’s often business over loyalty.
