- Klopp to leave Liverpool
- Lijnders set for a fresh challenge
- Will try his luck as Salzburg’s boss
WHAT HAPPENED?
Lijnders, the trusted lieutenant of the German manager, is set to embark on a new journey in Austria in the next campaign as he has signed a three-year contract with Salzburg. Joining him in his venture will be Vitor Manos, the elite development coach at Liverpool, who had worked for four-and-a-half years at the Merseyside club.
OFFICIAL: Pepijn Lijnders will take over as our manager next season!
The 41-year-old Dutchman will join us from @LFC on a three year-contract.
Welcome to Salzburg, Pep! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/gdXNitWJg9
— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) May 15, 2024
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lijnders, 41, boasts an impressive coaching career, having joined Liverpool in 2014. His tenure at Merseyside saw him rise from first-team development coach in 2015 to being the assistant manager under Brendan Rodgers. Despite managerial changes, that led to Klopp’s arrival in October 2015, Lijnders remained a pivotal figure at Anfield, contributing significantly to the club’s endeavours in winning the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 Premier League title.
WHAT LIJNDERS SAID
Expressing his gratitude and excitement for his new role, Lijnders stated: “I am very proud to become the new head coach of FC Red Bull Salzburg. This is a real privilege for me. After PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto and Liverpool FC, I am now moving to another exceptional club with a really good structure and a particular focus on youth development.
“I want to develop a mentality with the team that places a lot of emphasis on attacking style of play and where passion and hunger for success are the basis of everything. Together with my assistant coach Vitor Matos and the entire support team, we will do our best to help the club continue to grow in an ever-changing football world. My family has visited the city before and was overwhelmed by its beauty and the friendliness of the people. That was the last and important step for me in choosing FC Red Bull Salzburg.”
WHAT NEXT?
It was anticipated that Lijnders’ days are numbered at Anfield following Klopp’s announcement of his exit in January. Liverpool are expected to name Arne Slot, the current Feyenoord boss, as their new manager. Slot’s arrival is rumoured to be accompanied by his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, marking the beginning of a new era for the Premier League club.
