Pep Lijnders explains Man City exit after Pep Guardiola move away

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesPep LijndersFormer Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders is leaving Manchester City after just one season, turning down the chance to remain at the Etihad Stadium as the Dutchman explains his family comes firstPep Lijnders has opened up on his Manchester City exit(Image: MB Media, Getty Images)Manchester City coach Pep Lijnders is leaving the club after just one year to prioritise time with his family. The Dutchman made a surprise move to the Etihad Stadium last summer, joining forces with Pep Guardiola.His transfer to Manchester followed an impressive stint alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool - where the Reds battled City for Premier League supremacy.However, with Guardiola concluding his decade-long tenure at the club this summer, Lijnders has opted to depart alongside him and has now revealed why he rejected the opportunity to remain.In an interview with AD, he explained: "My wife and I want a permanent place for our growing sons.

The club wanted to move forward, offered me a position on a new manager's staff, or the chance to become head coach at a foreign club within the City Football Group."Discussing how his switch to City initially materialized, Lijnders continued: "When Pep called in May last year, he was immediately open. He said: 'I want to build a new City one more time'.Pep Lijnders spent just a year with Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)"He knew how Jurgen and I worked together at Liverpool and had Klopp's blessing to sound me out.

He also said that he was in the final two years of his contract. 'So it's not about a long-term project. And, just like Klopp, he has genuine love for his players.