Pep Lijnders To Lead Salzburg In New Chapter After Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp's long-time assistant, Pep Lijnders, has agreed to take over as the head coach at Salzburg, both the Austrian club and Liverpool have confirmed. Lijnders joined Liverpool in 2014 as an under-16s coach and became the first-team development coach a year later. Initially working under Brendan Rodgers, Lijnders has played a key role in Klopp's staff since the German took over at Anfield in October 2015.

It was confirmed in January that Lijnders would join Klopp in leaving Liverpool. The Dutchman will now step into management, having agreed to a three-year deal with Salzburg. "I am very proud to become the new head coach of Salzburg," said Lijnders. "This is a real privilege for me. After PSV, Porto, and Liverpool, I am now moving to another exceptional club with a really good structure and a particular focus on youth development."

Lijnders expressed his vision for the team, stating, "I want to develop a mentality with the team that places a lot of emphasis on an attacking style of play and where passion and hunger for success are the basis of everything." He also mentioned that his family had visited Salzburg and was impressed by its beauty and the friendliness of its people, which influenced his decision.

FC Red Bull Salzburg officially announced Lijnders' appointment on their Twitter account: "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!"

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 (@FCRBS_en) May 15, 2024

This marks Lijnders' second managerial position after a brief spell at NEC Nijmegen. He will be joined by another member of Liverpool's backroom staff, Vitor Matos, who will serve as his assistant. They are replacing Gerhard Struber, who was dismissed in April by the 17-time Austrian champions.

The duo, along with Klopp and the rest of his staff, will celebrate the end of their tenure at Liverpool when the Reds take on Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.