Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has shared insightful tales about his time alongside Jurgen Klopp.
Lijnders revealed the circumstances surrounding the duo’s departures and their enduring friendship during and after their exit from Anfield.
The 41-year-old Red Bull Salzburg was in a wide-ranging interview with Daily Mail, speaking on why it was right to leave Anfield.
Pep Lijnders’ Reflections on Liverpool Exit
Lijnders emphasized the duo’s desire to leave Liverpool on amicable terms, ensuring a seamless transition.
He told Daily Mail they wanted to leave the club in the right way, announcing early to find the right replacement.
He said: “There has been a lot said already about our exit but the main thing I would like to add is that we really wanted to leave the club in the right way,’ says Lijnders.”
”Announce it early so they have the time to find the right guys, it is not easy to find a coach of the calibre of Liverpool.”
However, when asked for his thoughts on Klopp’s replacement Arne Slot, Lijnders refrains from his usual detailed answers to keep it short and sweet.
”Very, very, very, very good,” he says about Arne Slot, smirking.
Liverpool’s position at the top of the Premier League table is a clear indication that Arne Slot is successfully managing the club.
Furthermore, Lijnders praised Arne Slot’s tenure, expressing gratitude for the club’s continued success.
He added: ”What is happening now with Arne, doing the job he is doing… wow, it makes me really grateful.”
“I feel blessed to see it, the way the club is doing and performing on a really high level. Certain players are flourishing and making the next steps.”
Also, Pep Lijnders expressed gratitude for the experience he had gathered while serving as assistant manager for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Lijnders, now Red Bull Salzburg boss, acknowledged his debt to Liverpool, saying: “I owe the fans and players everything. For 10 years, it was my life.”
Lijnders, who is delighted with Liverpool’s thriving state, crediting Klopp’s legacy revealed he maintained regular contact with the former Reds boss through messages, calls, and videos.
The 41-year-old Red Bull Salzburg boss added: “We are still in contact a lot – messaging, calling, sending videos.”
“Most pictures I get, he’s working out or with friends, looking bronzed!”
Pep Lijnders’ Managerial Career
Pep Lijnders’ managerial career spans over two decades, with notable positions at PSV Eindhoven’s youth training and development from 2002-2006.
He also had experience in Porto Youth academy development under prominent managers from 2006-2014.
The Dutch boss joined Liverpool coaching team between 2014-2018, 2018-2024, as development coach, assistant coach, and first team trainer under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp, who recently got a job with Red Bull.
Notably, he had a short stint Lijnders at NEC in the Dutch Eerste Divisie in 2018. He signed a contract of one year and a half.
However, on 17 May 2018, Lijnders was sacked after NEC failed to gain promotion to the Eredivisie in the promotion play-offs.
Afterward, Lijnders signed on as the new Red Bull Salzburg manager with a contract valid until June 2027 on the 15th of May.
Furthermore, the 41-year-old Dutch manager was part of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League (2019) and Premier League (2019-20) title wins.
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