Jurgen Klopp delivered a lighthearted message to his former assistant Pep Lijnders, suggesting he would step into the role at Manchester City if Lijnders declined the offer from Pep Guardiola. This exchange occurred as Guardiola sought to bolster his coaching team following the departure of three staff members at the end of the season, with Lijnders eyed for a key position ahead of the Club World Cup in June.
Lijnders, who spent a decade working alongside Klopp at Liverpool and often clashed with City on the pitch, felt compelled to consult his mentor amid the tempting opportunity. He had anticipated the approach, as Guardiola had already reached out to mutual contacts to gauge Lijnders’ interest.
Consultation with Klopp Seals the Decision
“Do you want my political answer? No, of course not,” Lijnders reflected on his internal conflict. “The moment Pep called, and the feeling he gave me about what he wanted to do with the team by bringing me in, the trust he already had before we discussed how it would look—that made the decision much easier.”
Despite the deep ties to Liverpool, Lijnders expressed pride in joining a powerhouse club. “But 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.”
During their conversation, Klopp was direct and humorous: “When I spoke with Jurgen he was so clear: ‘If you don’t do it, I will take the assistant job!'”
Lijnders anticipates an emotional return to Anfield next week. “When I go to Anfield [next week] it will be special, maybe more special for my family than me. But my mindset is to win and to try to beat them.”
Impressions of Guardiola’s Leadership
Stepping in for Guardiola during recent media engagements, Lijnders has quickly integrated into a squad chasing four trophies in the season’s final stretch. Key Premier League fixtures against Tottenham and Liverpool loom large, yet Lijnders admires Guardiola’s relentless drive.
“The best ones are like that, Tiger Woods, all these guys, they push themselves to limits, they need to feel that to push themselves to limits. And he’s constantly searching for that, very professional, very ambitious, wants to make impact every day,” Lijnders observed.
He highlighted Guardiola’s core strength as his unwavering passion. “But I always say what I feel is his biggest strength, or what I feel when I came into this club, is the passion he has for his team, his passion he has for us, his love he has for his backroom staff, how he treats everyone, and that family feeling inside this club. That makes it probably a little bit easier as well.”
