Arne Slot is now the leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp but the fact Pep Lijnders has never been in the running has raised some eyebrows.

Klopp’s assistant is well regarded in the game but is intent on following the manager out the door at the end of May.

Yet one of main reasons while it will be Slot and Lijnders wasn’t under serious consideration is that he didn’t want to be.

Sander Westerveld’s theory on why Arne Slot has not been announced yet	Arne Slot ‘will make it at Liverpool’ – the view from Feyenoord and Rotterdam	Pep Lijnders tipped to return to Liverpool in future

As soon as Klopp decided it was time to go, Lijnders decided the same.

At 41, he has enthusiasm for a big job but he wants to follow his own path now rather than follow in the footsteps of the German.

“I always said I will finish with Jürgen; the moment I will not assist anyone else, that's the moment I will go and I will manage,” said Lijnders.

But, outside of his own eagerness to move on to pastures new, a look at Liverpool’s search for a new manager he does need more experience as a No 1.

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has time and trophies under his belt along with Ruben Amorim and Slot

They’re young, enthusiastic coaches like Lijnders which was a key component in the search for Klopp’s successor.

Given the age profile they’re looking at in the search, the Reds were never going to get a manager with a collection of league titles and a few European Cups

That may be a reason why Liverpool didn’t look to appoint Lijnders despite their admiration for him.

Those within the club believe that he will go on to be a very successful manager and there’s nobody ruling out a return one day.

But for now, as Lijnders wants, he’s going to make his mark elsewhere first.

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