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.
'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.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Powys County Times

11 minutes ago

• Powys County Times

Friday's briefing: Lionel Messi free-kick lights up Atlanta and PSG shocked

Lionel Messi lit up the Club World Cup with a fine free-kick as Inter Milan came from behind to beat Porto in Atlanta. Champions League winners Paris St Germain were stunned by South American champions Botafogo in Group B, while Atletico Madrid proved too strong for the Seattle Sounders. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca faced questions over Mykhailo Mudryk, while Real Madrid revealed star man Kylian Mbappe had been discharged from hospital. Closer to home, Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson scaled new heights to announce her Euro 2025 squad. Lionel Messi magic for Miami Messi doing Messi things – unreal free-kick! ⚽️ Enjoy it from every angle 👏👀 Watch the @fifacwc | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIAFCP — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2025 Lionel Messi scored a trademark free-kick as Inter Miami beat Porto 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to move a step closer to the last 16 of the Club World Cup. Porto took the lead in the eighth minute from the penalty spot but Miami equalised just after half-time through a thumping finish from Telasco Segovia. Messi then gave the Atlanta crowd what they came for when he clipped home a fine 20-yard free-kick in the 54th minute. Igor Jesus scored the only goal of the game as Botafogo stunned Paris St Germain in Pasadena, with Atletico Madrid beating the Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Group B's other game. Elsewhere in Group A, Palmeiras beat Egyptian side Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium – with the match interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford. Enzo Maresca – I'll talk to 'Misha' soon Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he has not yet spoken to winger Mykhailo Mudryk since the Ukrainian was charged with violating anti-doping rules. The 24-year-old has not played since being suspended last December after testing positive for a prohibited substance, and is facing a lengthy ban after being charged by the Football Association. Blues boss Maresca fronted questions on Mudryk as he prepared the team for their second Group D match against Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday. 'The last time I spoke with Misha, he was quite good. I didn't see him worried, or at least I didn't see him not good. It was OK,' Maresca said. 'I don't know how he is now, but for sure in the next days, weeks, we're going to have a talk.' Rhian Wilkinson has high hopes for Wales Rhian Wilkinson hiked up Wales' highest peak at Yr Wyddfa before delivering the names of 23 players determined to scale their own summit at Euro 2025. 'It (qualifying) was always going to be an uphill battle with little setbacks,' said former Canada international Wilkinson. 'As we have moved towards the Euros we have talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.' Kylian Mbappe in and then out of hospital Mbappé medical update. — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 19, 2025 Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been discharged from hospital after being admitted with 'acute gastroenteritis'. The 26-year-old France international missed Wednesday night's 1-1 Club World Cup draw with Al Hilal through illness, with head coach Xabi Alonso revealing he had a fever. Real Madrid subsequently confirmed Mbappe was suffering from 'an acute case of gastroenteritis' and had been admitted to hospital for further tests and treatment, before later being cleared to return to the team's base. 'Our player Kylian Mbappe was discharged from the hospital this afternoon and has returned to the Real Madrid training camp,' a club statement read. 'Mbappe will continue receiving specific medical treatment and will gradually return to team activity.' What's on today? MD2 vs the Brazilian giants. 🇧🇷🔜 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) The Club World Cup continues with Chelsea facing Flamengo in Philadelphia. The Blues will be looking to build on their opening Group D win over LAFC, who play ES Tunis in Nashville.

Wales Online

22 minutes ago

• Wales Online

Club World Cup match halted as fans vacate seats and players told to remain calm

Club World Cup match halted as fans vacate seats and players told to remain calm The Club World Cup match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly had to be halted on Thursday afternoon as fans were told to find shelter amid severe lightning in the area Players leave the field after the match was suspended due severe weather warning is given for a storm (Image: Getty Images ) During the Club World Cup encounter between Palmeiras and Egyptian outfit Al Ahly, play was brought to a standstill due to lightning nearby on Thursday. The match was paused shortly after the 60-minute mark by referee Anthony Taylor, well-known among Premier League spectators, who deemed it necessary to interrupt the game. Taylor signalled for all players to return to the changing rooms, while supporters were directed into the covered areas of the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is set to host the forthcoming World Cup final. ‌ Commentary was switched back to the studio as stadium screens cautioned attendees with a message, which also told the players to walk "calmly" off the pitch. ‌ The announcement read: "Your attention please. "For your safety, we are going to have everyone leave the Seating Bowl area and take shelter inside the stadium because of severe weather in the area. "Event Staff are available to guide and assist you. Article continues below "Those on the field, please walk calmly to the nearest tunnel, to the West Hall, or to the service corridor." At the cessation of play, Brazilian club Palmeiras was leading two-nil, having scored in their second tournament game during Group A competition. They found the net first at the 49th minute following an own goal by Wessam Abou Ali, with Jose Manuel Lopez increasing their lead soon before the forced break, reports the Express. ‌ The delay ensued shortly after, lasting for 48 minutes with the game resuming at 2.15pm local time in the American north-east. Palmeiras managed to maintain their lead until the end of the match, temporarily securing the top spot in the group before Porto's face-off with Inter Miami. Estevao Willian, who celebrated his 18th birthday only in April, was awarded Player of the Match for the second consecutive game, sparking renewed enthusiasm among Chelsea supporters ahead of his anticipated move to Stamford Bridge later this summer. Article continues below Weather disruptions have become an unfortunate yet frequent occurrence at the restructured Club World Cup. On Tuesday night, organisers had to rearrange the schedule due to a thunderstorm, pushing back the kick-off time for the match between Ulsan Hyundai and Mamelodi Sundowns from 6pm local time to 7.05pm. More severe weather conditions hit on Wednesday, causing the match between RB Salzburg and Pachuca to be halted in the 54th minute. The game did not resume for over an hour as officials had to wait for the storm to pass.

BBC News

24 minutes ago

• BBC News

Gossip: Reds could let Gomez leave

Liverpool are yet to receive any bids for Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, 25, who is the latest Premier League player to be linked with a move to Serie A champions Napoli. (Liverpool Echo), externalBayer Leverkusen and Germany forward Florian Wirtz, 22, is expected to complete his club record transfer to Liverpool on Friday. (ESPN), externalNapoli and AC Milan are interested in Liverpool and Italy forward Federico Chiesa, 27. (Kiss Kiss Napoli - in Italian), externalLiverpool and England defender Joe Gomez, 28, is interesting Crystal Palace, Leeds United and West Ham and the club are open to letting him go. (TBR Football), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport