Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Pep Guardiola sought Jurgen Klopp's blessing before hiring his former assistant

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.

I asked permission from Jurgen of course, I didn’t want to interfere.

Lijnders new job sees him go against the promise that he made to his ex-Liverpool boss Klopp.

Pep Lijnders was alongside Jurgen Klopp for much of his Liverpool success(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC)

Upon leaving Anfield, he claimed that he would never be an assistant to anyone else and was solely focusing on his own managerial career.

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.
For more news relating to Manchester City, visit our sister site City Latest Live.