Pep Lijnders went back on Jurgen Klopp promise before getting blessing from Liverpool hero
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The former Liverpool coach departed Anfield alongside Klopp at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign.Embarking once more on a head coaching role, the Dutchman agreed a three-year contract at RB Salzburg in May 2024 but endured just seven months before being dismissed shortly before the new year.Choosing to remain away from football until next summer, Lijnders' subsequent appointment astonished the Liverpool fanbase as he linked up with Manchester City to become one of Guardiola's assistant managers, alongside ex-City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure.READ MORE: Four Liverpool players set to miss World Cup as forgotten stars can make pre-season XIREAD MORE: Liverpool have made right Alisson Becker call - I think it's too soon for Giorgi MamardashviliBy teaming up with the legendary Spaniard who dubbed Klopp as his greatest-ever adversary, Lijnders went back on the original commitment he made to Klopp. It's 10 years full of dedication."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.
I cannot say thank you enough to everybody involved."Before City's 2-1 victory over Liverpool in February, Guardiola spoke openly about his choice to bring in Lijnders, revealing he felt an immediate bond with the Dutchman. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page"I needed to refresh myself first with new people who have incredible knowledge about the game and the Premier League and I love a lot many things that he did with Jurgen at Liverpool.
We talked one day, I think we felt connected immediately."I am incredibly lucky that since the first day I started as a manager [with] all my backroom staff and close people and Pep is one of them."Lijnders himself revealed earlier this year how Klopp gave him his blessing to take the job with City. He said: "When I spoke with Jurgen he was so clear - 'if you don't do it, I will take the assistant job.'""You cannot put away 10 years of Liverpool that easily, but I'm really proud to come to a club of this magnitude, so successful over the last 10 years and with a manager that defined football."Lijnders' impact at the Etihad this season has already yielded a trophy, with City beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last month.