Latest news with #Lijnders
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola Confirms he ‘Asked for Permission' from Jurgen Klopp Over Liverpool Move
Pep Guardiola's Surprise Move for Lijnders Raises Eyebrows Among Liverpool Faithful Manchester City are once again preparing to make headlines on the global stage, this time representing the Premier League at the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. While Liverpool and Arsenal enjoy a rare full summer off after finishing first and second in the Premier League, City find themselves navigating a gruelling fixture list that could stretch to seven matches. Advertisement Pep Guardiola, never one to rest on his laurels, is using this tournament as a clean slate, a springboard rather than a burden. Not only has he added depth to the playing squad, but he's also made a significant move behind the scenes — and it involves a familiar name to Liverpool fans. Lijnders' Switch Sparks Reaction at Anfield The appointment of Pep Lijnders as Guardiola's new assistant has turned heads and triggered mixed emotions at Anfield. Lijnders, once Jurgen Klopp's trusted right-hand man, is now in the blue corner of Manchester. What has softened the blow somewhat is Guardiola's openness about the process. 'I suggested I was thinking about Pep [Lijnders] and [Klopp] gave me his high opinion,' he told the media. Advertisement Guardiola went a step further in an unusually candid moment. '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.' Photo: IMAGO It's not every day two of modern football's fiercest rivals share such professional courtesy. Still, that's unlikely to make it any easier for supporters to stomach the sight of Lijnders in a City tracksuit, especially given the historic tension between the two clubs during Klopp's reign. Tuchel Warns of Competitive Disadvantage for City England boss Thomas Tuchel has already voiced concern over City's congested summer schedule, arguing that Liverpool and Arsenal hold a clear advantage heading into the 2025–26 season. Advertisement Avoiding the Club World Cup, Tuchel suggests, will allow both clubs to return to training more refreshed and less vulnerable to fatigue-related injuries. Given that Arne Slot will be looking to build on last season's title triumph, the timing may favour the Reds. However, Guardiola appears undeterred, clearly believing that adding a figure like Lijnders will aid City's pursuit of global dominance. Whether this gamble pays off or backfires in the domestic campaign remains to be seen. Liverpool's Identity and Coaching Influence Under Spotlight While the move may seem minor on the surface, Lijnders' departure and arrival at a rival club is deeply symbolic. He wasn't just an assistant — he was seen as a tactical architect behind the high-intensity, high-pressing identity that defined Liverpool under Klopp. Advertisement City acquiring Lijnders isn't just about staff reinforcement, it's a psychological play. It is Guardiola's way of absorbing insights from the very team that stood as his greatest obstacle. Whether Lijnders' knowledge will make a tangible impact remains up for debate. What is certain is that it adds another subplot to the increasingly nuanced rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's no sugar-coating it — seeing Pep Lijnders join City hurts. Not because he didn't have the right to move on, but because of what he represented. Lijnders was part of the DNA that restored Liverpool to the summit of English and European football. His fingerprints were on the tactics, the player development, the very culture that made us proud again. Advertisement While Klopp's blessing may offer some closure, the timing stings. Liverpool are trying to forge a new era under Arne Slot, who has already delivered a Premier League title in his first season. Yet, the thought of one of Klopp's inner circle now assisting Guardiola — the very man we battled for honours season after season — feels like betrayal. There's also fear. Lijnders knows how Liverpool tick. If Guardiola is wise enough to use that insight, it could close the gap that widened last season. It's the latest sign that City aren't just coming for trophies, they're coming for footballing minds too. We can only hope that Slot, with his own ideas and staff, keeps us a step ahead. But this one will sting for a while.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘I asked permission from Jurgen Klopp' – Pep Guardiola receives blessing from Liverpool legend over new Man City arrival
Manchester City's recruitment of former Liverpool assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders came with the blessing of former manager Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola has revealed. Lijnders arrives to Manchester as Guardiola's new assistant coach after a decorated spell as assistant manager to Brendan Rogers and Jurgen Klopp at Anfield following his arrival to England from Holland in 2014. Advertisement The Dutchman has also seen James French join Guardiola's staff as set piece coach, with Kolo Toure also lending a hand to the Manchester City manager for the FIFA Club World Cup campaign, which will see City face Wydad AC in their opening fixture on Wednesday. The new coaching setup at the Etihad Stadium comes after the departures of Carlos Vicens, Juanma Lillo and Inigo Dominguez at the end of their respective contracts, which resembles the major revamp occurring in Guardiola's squad. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have all been signed in time for the Club World Cup in what has been a major statement of intent from newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana, who has replaced Txiki Begiristain. Speaking in his first press conference of the 2025-26 season, Guardiola has offered a personal thanks to the three coaches that left his backroom staff set-up following the conclusion of the previous campaign. Advertisement 'Enormous thank you to Juanma (Lillo), Inigo (Dominguez) from the seasons we had together. And Carlos Vicens as well, like Mikel (Arteta) and Enzo (Maresca), going in his own career, going to Braga – we wish him the best of luck and all the best,' said Guardiola. 'And I try to bring people to help us, not just me but the team, to try to win.' It wouldn't be a stretch to admit that Guardiola's squad have needed some fresh faces in the dressing room and amongst the backroom staff, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitting so himself in his end-of-season review that the club should have been more aggressive in last summer's transfer window in hinssight. Guardiola added: 'There was opportunity of Pep (Lijnders) and James (French), and Kolo Toure was already in the U-18's and we saw him working, and has an incredible reference. Advertisement 'And these people are going to help us to make a good season.' On the subject of recruiting Lijnders in particular, Pep Guardiola revealed the involvement of Liverpool's legendary former manager Jurgen Klopp in approving of the Dutchman's switch to the Etihad Stadium following their hugely successful spell together at Anfield. 'We had a conversation with Jurgen (Klopp) but not about Pep Lijnders,' Guardiola said. 'It was, as always, a long conversation, and in a certain moment I suggested I was thinking about Pep (Lijnders) and he (Klopp) gave me his opinion that was, of course, so high – his right-hand (man) in one of the most successful periods in Liverpool. 'After I took time to decide, reflect. I wasn't in direct touch with Pep (Lijnders) because he was in Salzburg and his last experience was Liverpool (for) many years. I asked permission from Jurgen (Klopp) because I didn't want to interfere. Advertisement 'I said, 'Will it be a problem to talk to him?' and he said absolutely not. So I talked, we talked a little, and in one or two days, we decided let's try; I'm a fortunate guy! All the assistants I've had in my career, wow! Everybody helped me incredibly, I've been so, so fortunate. 'They make me a better, better manager, and I'm pretty sure Kolo (Toure) and especially Pep (Lijnders) will help me. At the end it's a question of back and forth; his knowledge, I drain, and every day since we met together, we talk a lot about tactics, football, training sessions – he's been so inspiring. 'I'm really pleased and we'll see what happens in future.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
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.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
What new City coach Pep Lijnders refused to say out loud at Liverpool says a lot
After almost 10 years at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders' move to Manchester City has been met with raised eyebrows, yet it seems Pep Guardiola has appointed himself a coach who's not afraid to say how it is Pep Guardiola looks to have appointed an assistant manager who has a wealth of experience in dealing with big personalities in former Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders. Manchester City announced the arrival of Lijnders on Tuesday, as Guardiola looks to shake-up the club's backroom staff ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Dutchman worked with Jurgen Klopp for almost 10 years at the Reds and once discussed just how he deals with being No. 2 to the German – one of football's biggest characters. After a brief managerial stint at Red Bull Salzburg came to an end in December, Lijnders is now back in the UK and has now taken a position under one of the game's other big personas in Guardiola. Yet the Spaniard can't be said to have hired a 'yes man.' Back in July 2020, Lijnders claimed that he had a handle on Klopp's powerful and superstar-like temperament, as the duo forged an off-pitch relationship over racquet sport, padel. "Jurgen is fanatical about it – and he's good, too," Lijnders said. "But we never say he's the best out loud – otherwise he starts to walk around like Conor McGregor." Lijnders comments are no doubt respectful to his former boss, despite the likening his unchecked ego to that of former UFC star McGregor. Yet reading between the lines, his remarks show a man who is unafraid to say it how it is. The former Reds coach also appears fearless when it comes to discussing some of Klopp's less attractive attributes in public. Lijnders' comments go some way to show that he's a coach that can keep major characters in check, as demonstrated by his refusal to massage his former boss' ego. The news of Lijnders joining Liverpool 's Premier League title rivals has naturally been controversial amongst Reds fans. Lijnders did briefly leave Liverpool for a spell at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen at the start of 2018 before coming back to Merseyside. Upon his return he helped turn Liverpool into Premier League champions and aided in delivering the club's sixth European Cup, amongst a plethora of trophies. However, Lijnders' switch to the Citizens comes after he claimed that he would never work as an assistant manager again. 'I owe this club everything,' Lijnders told Liverpool's club's website in February 2024. 'I always said I will finish with Jurgen; the moment I will not assist anyone else, that's the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case." Yet the lure of working at one of the Premier League's biggest clubs, and under a manager like Pep Guardiola, is perhaps too tempting for anyone to turn down, regardless of their feelings toward a former employer. Lijnders now joins City six months after being sacked by Salzburg, where he won just 13 of his 29 games. However, his status as a No. 2 is stellar, with Klopp often eager to praise his former right-hand man. "I have been lucky enough to meet many, many people in football during my time in the game and I don't think I have ever met anyone with the energy and enthusiasm he has for this game," Klopp said about Lijnders in 2023. 'I think I have said in the past, there is nothing he does not know about this sport. His passion for it is remarkable and his enthusiasm in training each day is infectious" Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Jurgen Klopp disciple ready to boost Pep Guardiola's Man City
Some worrying news for bookshops on Merseyside. Any copies of Intensity by Pep Lijnders are likely to remain on the shelves. They may want to instead store them with El Nino, the Fernando Torres autobiography that was a love story to Liverpool. But Torres joined Chelsea and now, barely a year after leaving Liverpool, Lijnders' return to English football comes alongside Pep Guardiola. Advertisement The supporters who branded Trent Alexander-Arnold a traitor for heading for Real Madrid – though one of their complaints has been removed now he is no longer going on a free transfer, but for €10m – may transfer their irritation to Jurgen Klopp's former sidekick after his move to Manchester City was confirmed ahead of the Club World Cup, with every game live on DAZN. City, of course, is the club that ensured one of the great Liverpool managers won just one league title. If a year away has illustrated the legacy Klopp and Lijnders left, with Arne Slot's success reflecting well on the previous regime, it may have been chastening in other respects. Klopp's popularity in Germany has been dented by the decision of a man who was a byword for authenticity to work for the despised Red Bull group. Lijnders, once touted as a potential successor to Klopp at Anfield, floundered in his second attempt to go it alone. He was sacked by RB Salzburg – a couple of weeks before Klopp took up his role at their parent organisation – with the usually dominant force in Austrian football only fifth in the Bundesliga, 10 points off the lead, and having lost five of their six Champions League games. Defeats without scoring to Sparta Prague, Brest and Dinamo Zagreb were scarcely the great European nights Lijnders experienced at Liverpool. Take out the tribalism of football, however, and there is logic on both his and Guardiola's side; this could be a marriage of considerable convenience. City have parted company with three assistant coaches, in Carlos Vicens, Inigo Domingues and Juanma Lillo, which could leave Guardiola looking lonely. Lillo, in particular, was a symbolic figure; Guardiola admired him so much that he went to Mexico to end his playing career under Lillo at Dorados Sinaloa. Advertisement Yet if City's explanation was simply that Lillo, whose contract expired this summer, wanted to return to Spain – and he never spoke much English – Guardiola's most torrid season featured many a strange decision. The Guardiola-Lillo axis may not have worked as well as it did. At 42, Lijnders is 17 years younger than the wizened Spaniard, with a Premier League pedigree, multilingual skills – speaking Spanish and Portuguese – and bringing an energy Klopp appreciated as he aged. That City struggled with the physicality of many an opponent last season could give an added reason to appoint a coach responsible for some Liverpool sides who were primed to outrun anyone. Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp pose with the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during the Liverpool trophy parade in May 2022 (Getty) For Lijnders, meanwhile, a step backwards could nevertheless bring one of the plum coaching jobs, just not a managerial post. He was interviewed by Norwich, before they appointed Liam Manning. The City Football Group, with their portfolio of clubs, could suit Lijnders' long-term plan to get back into management. With Klopp yet to return to management, he has now found a new patron. A double act of Pep and Pep may sound good too. A theme of Guardiola's career has been his ability to win with different assistants, starting with Tito Vilanova at Barcelona. At City, he has been joined by Mikel Arteta, Brian Kidd, Domenec Torrent, Rodolfo Borrell, Enzo Maresca and Lillo. Advertisement Lijnders' partnership with Klopp followed the break-up of his long-term alliance with Zeljko Buvac. The Dutchman's ideas nevertheless took Liverpool to greater heights; arguably they played less heavy-metal football but they won the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 Premier League and pursued the quadruple in 2022. Lijnders during his time at FC Salzburg (Getty Images) His brief spell at Salzburg, like a similarly short stint at Nijmegen in 2018, could suggest that Lijnders is no manager. While he could coin Klopp-style soundbites – 'our identity is intensity' was one – perhaps they didn't sound right without Klopp and he lacked his mentor's degree in people. Lijnders is thought to be aware of his shortcomings. As a coach, though, his reputation is safe. Klopp initially inherited him, asked by Fenway Sports Group's Mike Gordon to give him a go. He agreed, ringing the FSG president a few weeks into his reign to tell him that he didn't like Lijnders... he loved him. He brought him back to Anfield after Buvac left. Pep Guardiola with his Manchester City assistant Juanma Lillo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in February (Getty) He played him at the racket sport padel, often losing to a man 16 years his junior; that was a sign of Lijnders' competitiveness. Unlike Peter Krawietz, Klopp's other assistant and a far quieter figure, Lijnders had a profile in his own right. He did the pre-match media duties before Carabao Cup games, to prepare him for the return to management, which then backfired. Advertisement Instead, he has now joined a select group who have crossed the great divide and played a part for arguably the two most influential managers of their generation. For Ilkay Gundogan, Robert Lewandowski and Thiago Alcantara it was as players. For Lijnders, in the opposing dugout for titanic duels as Klopp enjoyed a rare winning record against Guardiola, it is as a coach. Liverpool could win the games but, over 38 matches, it was City who won the titles in Lijnders' last four seasons at Anfield. He couldn't beat Guardiola, so he has now joined him. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free
