Pep Guardiola has opened up on his decision to bring former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders to Man City
Pep Guardiola has revealed it took just one phone call to convince former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders to join Man City. The Dutchman left the Reds last year, standing down from his role alongside Jurgen Klopp at the end of the 2023/24 season after a trophy-laden six years at Anfield.
Lijnders was announced as the new Red Bull Salzburg manager in May 2024, officially taking up the role in July, but was dismissed the following December having won only 13 of his 29 games in charge.
During his time at Anfield, the 42-year-old was adamant that he would only be interested in his own managerial opportunities after leaving Liverpool and that he would not serve as an assistant again after leaving Klopp’s side.Consequently, it was something of a surprise when he joined the Reds’ fierce title-rivals, Man City as Guardiola’s new assistant earlier this summer.
While it is still early days in their working relationship, the City boss has already been impressed by his new number two as he opened up on his decision to appoint Lijnders.“I know he was with Jurgen [Klopp] for many, many years,” Guardiola told Sky Sports’ One on One Podcast. “And I thought, ‘Okay, if he was with many, many years with Jurgen, this guy must be good!’
“After (that) he has of course been at Salzburg and has experience as a manager.“We talked just one day and I said I would to (work) with you… sometimes decisions come from the feelings.“I knew Liverpool played outstanding the decade we have been together.
I think he can give us something we didn’t have in the last season in terms of rhythm, intensity, in terms of another vision of football.“Since day one, I think we were incredibly connected. I would say it’s so easy to work with me, sorry to tell you, because I give incredible space to do what they believe they have to do. For the players a little bit less but for my staff, it is so easy.
“I think we needed one phone call. And I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it. Let’s go together.’ That’s the way it was.”Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has already noted Lijnders’ impact on Man City when analysing their victory over Wolves.
“Pep Lijnders is a big coach, big influence on Jurgen Klopp and I did see little instance of that Liverpool team,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “I watched the game at the weekend and couldn’t believe what I saw, the players were jumping high up to try and catch the Wolves players offside.”This is very Liverpool-like. It made me think how much influence is maybe the new coach having on this team…
“The amount of counter-attacking goals that Liverpool team would score with [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah, breaking forward. When I looked at the goal from Reijnders… not maybe a Pep Guardiola goal.
“Of course, Pep Guardiola’s teams have scored plenty of counter-attacking goals in the past. But what really stood out for this one was the type of goal it was. They win it and then they’re off.”Lijnders – Guardiola gives him the thanks, the hug.
Now we don’t know exactly what that’s for, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence with some of the things that I saw in the game that he, as a coach, is having a big influence on Pep Guardiola.”