I followed Jurgen Klopp from Liverpool – he helped me land my dream job this summer

Pep Lijnders has explained the very emotional time he left Liverpool last month, plus how his former manager helped inform his decision to take over as head coach at ‘special club’ RB Salzburg.

Lijnders has become a highly respected tactical mind while providing key support to Jurgen Klopp during the two managers at Liverpool, eight years of which they shared together. His status within the club’s infrastructure was so great that he was even considered a near-perfect replacement for his manager – the pair even privately discussed this – although the Dutchman also called time on his lengthy stay at Anfield, with the support of FSG to succeed. elsewhere.

Receiving his big guard without any fuss, he was appointed as the new head coach of RB Salzburg just before he bid an emotional farewell to Anfield in May.

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“The moment I came and signed for Salzburg was probably the moment I could say goodbye to Liverpool – at least it felt like that,” he said in his first interview in Austria, starting his new job this weekend. “Knowing that I’m going into a club that really suits my ideas, my style of play, the way we want to build with young players.

“It was double (the emotions) because you sign and then say goodbye to a club, my boys don’t know anything but Liverpool and England, so for the whole family (it’s a big change). But everyone is ready to go, it feels like it’s the right time – it’s the right time.”

While the 41-year-old has spent many years as Klopp’s most trusted adviser, it appears that relationship is one that goes both ways. It was the German’s blunt line of questioning that brought the Red Bull project to the forefront of Lijnders’ mind as something he could sink his teeth into.

“When I said we were leaving Liverpool, Jurgen (Klopp) asked me: ‘What are you looking for? What should the new club look like?”

“I said he should have a strong academy because I’m a guy who likes to work with talent, likes to work with young players and help them become the best version of themselves. This is what my life is about.

“Can you ask for a better club than Salzburg in terms of young players, talent, desire to take the next step? Then I start studying the team, the games and you know there is quality, passion, hunger. In the meantime, they have to fight to become champions and fight to show European ambition as well.”

The former Roșii assistant is just starting in his new position, but he has already ensured that he will enter the surroundings of his new home.

“I can’t say one bad thing about the whole process of signing and coming here to this city,” he added. “I’ve been a tourist for a few days, just walking around the city and feeling the beauty, the power, the class. I’m really proud to be here and represent this quality, this specialty. We represent a special city. and a special club.”

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