Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Email*I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent.

Read our Privacy notice

Manchester City have appointed long-time Jurgen Klopp ally Pep Lijnders into their backrooom staff as two former Liverpool coaches join forces with Pep Guardiola.

Lijnders was instrumental in Klopp’s Liverpool setup that went toe-to-toe with Guardiola between 2018 and 2022, helping guide the Reds to their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020 as well as a Champions League in 2019.

Man City confirms appointment of ex-Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders with hint at big changes to come	Man City confirm Pep Lijnders appointment and complete Liverpool move	Former Man City star set to join Pep Guardiola's coaching staff for Club World Cup after backroom reshuffle saw Jurgen Klopp's former assistant Pep Lijnders recruited

But after a short-lived stint in management at RB Salzburg, Lijnders has returned to the Premier League, only at the team he formerly considered a rival.

He is joined by opposition analyst James French, who has been directly poached from Liverpool.

At the close of the 2024/25 season, City underwent a notable backroom reshuffle.

It’s the first assistant manager role he has taken up since departing Liverpool alongside Jurgen Klopp in 2024.

The Dutchman’s involvement in elite title-winning environments will align seamlessly with City’s possession-based style and ambition for glory as they seek to rebuild following an underwhelming trophyless campaign.

Meanwhile, James French moves from Merseyside to become a similarly integral member of City’s coaching setup, also armed with vast Premier League experience.

Pep Lijnders (left) was integral to Jurgen Klopp’s setup at Liverpool (PA)

The 37-year-old began his career at Swansea before working for the Welsh FA.

Now, he arrives directly from Liverpool’s backroom staff, where he spent over a decade.

French’s dedicated oversight will look to ensure that marginal gains are optimised to give City a tactical edge, something they apparently lacked as they drifted away from the title race last term.

Get 4 months free with ExpressVPN

Servers in 105 Countries
Superior Speeds
Works on all your devices

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT.

This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Get 4 months free with ExpressVPN

Servers in 105 Countries
Superior Speeds
Works on all your devices

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT.

This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Both coaches will be bled into Guardiola’s setup in time for the Club World Cup, which starts on June 14.

Watch every Fifa Club World Cup game free on DAZN.
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.