Jurgen Klopp’s former right hand Pep Lijnders joins Liverpool’s champion rival Manchester City.
Lijnders helped curate the Mercedes’ Premier League win in 2020, as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup the previous year. At the end of the 2023-24 campaign, he left with Klopp and Liverpool turned to Arn Slott.
The 42-year-old Dutchman served as head coach of RB Salzburg’s brief spell – his second failure in management mission after NEC Nijmegen’s second time – but has now returned to England.
He has started working with another former Liverpool man, James Frenchman.
We are pleased to confirm two critical appointments @pepteamFirst team coaching settings.
Pepijn Lijnders was appointed as assistant coach, while James French joined the racing coach.
– Manchester City (@Mancity) June 10, 2025
France joined the city as a racing coach after 13 years as a first-team opposition analyst at Anfield.
Viana Hail Double Date
The appointment was a major coup for Pep Guardiola as he looked to rebound from a relatively bad season, which put City in the Premier League third place.
Football Director Hugo Viana said: “We are all happy that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching setup.
“Over the past few years, Pepijn and James have both accumulated huge personal role experience.
“Their talent, application, work ethics and all-round commitment are completely aligned with the values that PEP wants to play football.
“When we prepare for the club’s World Cup and the 2025/26 season, I have no doubt that this is a very important asset for Pep and his coaching team.”
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