Liverpool are on the lookout for a new assistant manager once again this summer as John Heitinga prepares to leave for Ajax.

Heitinga only joined the Reds last year after a successful spell as David Moyes’ second-in-command at West Ham.

But the 41-year-old has been tempted into a return to Ajax where he will serve as full-time head coach for the first time in his career.

One of the men Heitinga came to Liverpool to replace was long-time Jurgen Klopp assistant coach Pep Lijnders.

Pep Lijnders and former Liverpool defender 'considered' to join Pep Guardiola staff at Man City	Ex-Liverpool assistant 'agrees to join Man City coaching staff' - as Pep Guardiola enlists Jurgen Klopp's former right-hand man as part of his backroom reshuffle	Pepijn Lijnders a shock candidate to join Pep Guardiola at Man City

Lijnders left Liverpool along with Klopp in 2024, ready to embark on his own path as a manager.

Unfortunately, things did not go so well for the Dutchman, and he was sacked by RB Salzburg after just five months in the job.

Surprisingly, Lijnders is now set for a return to the Premier League – and another job as an assistant – with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, he may not be the only former Liverpool man on Guardiola’s staff.

Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Lijnders’ move to Man City is not one anyone could have seen coming.

The 42-year-old was incredibly loyal to Klopp and had previously vowed never to take on another assistant role.

To do so at the team who took so many trophies from Liverpool during his time at Anfield is not only strange, it is downright bizarre.

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Nevertheless, as Romano reported on Friday evening, it is a done deal between Lijnders and City.

“Pep Lijnders will start working for Manchester City from June as he’s gonna be available for FIFA Club World Cup,” said the journalist.

READ MORE: Arne Slot has already offered former Liverpool player to be his assistant coach once before

Then, in another update, Romano claimed that former Liverpool centre-back Kolo Toure is another who could join Guardiola’s new-look coaching team.

“Pep Lijnders, set to become part of Manchester City staff as he will join Pep Guardiola’s team,” he began.

“Exclusive story confirmed… and Kolo Toure could be next.”

As Liverpool consider their options to replace Heitinga, it is improbable that Lijnders would have come into their thinking.

Although Lijnders and Arne Slot are acquaintances, Klopp’s former assistant was far too wedded to the legendary Liverpool manager.

Having played for the Reds for three years between 2013 and 2016, the Ivorian knows the club well and is also an experienced coach already.

Despite his Liverpool links, though, Toure is currently a youth team coach at City and being promoted to the first-team would seem like a natural step.

It will be fascinating to see these two former Liverpool men in the dugout with Guardiola next season, as the Reds return to the drawing board for the next choice.
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