Pepijn Lijnders‘ large leap into administration with Purple Bull Salzburg has not gone to plan thus far, with the previous Liverpool coach dealing with questions over his future.
Lijnders left Liverpool as a part of an exodus led by Jurgen Klopp and was swiftly appointed head coach of Salzburg – joined in Austria by Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer.
The signings of Bobby Clark (£10m) and Stefan Bajcetic (mortgage) adopted, however outcomes haven’t gone as hoped for Lijnders and his fellow Reds alumni thus far.
4-and-a-half months into his reign, Lijnders’ report stands at: performed 21, received 11, drawn 5, misplaced 5.
Anticipated to problem for the title each season, Salzburg are fourth within the Austrian Bundesliga – 11 factors off the highest with two video games in hand – whereas a report of 1 win and three losses within the Champions League sees them thirtieth within the 36-team desk.
Unsurprisingly, there have been query marks raised over Lijnders’ position within the Salzburg dugout – however what has gone incorrect and what can we count on to occur?
To get an perception into how Lijnders’ reign thus far has gone down in Austria, we spoke to The Different Bundesliga (@OtherBundesliga).
To begin with, what was the response to Lijnders taking the Salzburg job?
The response to Lijnders’ appointment was one in all shock actually.
Given his standing at Liverpool, lots of people thought that this was maybe a drop down for him, and imagined that he’d be capable to instantly take Salzburg again to the highest.
It’s protected to say issues haven’t gone to plan thus far – why is that?
If anybody knew precisely why it wasn’t understanding so effectively, then the issue can be virtually solved, however it appears to stem from the defence.
As all the time, a lot of good gamers have been offered or moved on, however the expertise coming via hasn’t been able to step up and fill the gaps, definitely at Champions League degree.
Salzburg are recognized for pushing ahead and enjoying thrilling, attacking soccer, however they’re lacking the linchpin within the center and the defensive energy that they loved of their strongest seasons.
There have been claims of favouritism round Bajcetic and Clark, is that truthful?
The favouritism claims stemmed from seeing Clark and Bajcetic going straight into the beginning XI for the Champions League opening sport, once they hadn’t but shone within the league.
On the one hand it’s not shocking that the coach would belief gamers that he is aware of, however on the opposite, it’s certain to be seen as a little bit of a blow to others who had been competing for these spots within the extra conventional Salzburg order, having come up via FC Liefering after which settled within the Bundesliga.
And what expectations are there round Clark as a £10m signing?
The expectations round Clark are rightly fairly excessive.
Salzburg have excelled with gamers of his age and standing, however often they might pay a lot much less after which assist the gamers to enhance.
After they’ve spent this type of cash prior to now, the participant has been a extra completed article, for instance Rasmus Kristensen, who regarded like he was enjoying in a league above the remaining at occasions.
It’ll be arduous for Clark to emulate that.
What in regards to the attainable affect of Klopp – how has that gone down?
The Klopp information (editor: he’ll be part of as Purple Bull’s head of world soccer on January 1) has shocked some right here.
There are a lot of Liverpool or Dortmund followers in Austria, and they’re as stunned as anybody that he’s gone to the Purple Bull empire.
From the Salzburg perspective, I believe folks felt that Klopp was most likely very a lot out there to his pal Lijnders anyway, however now that recommendation and assist will be considerably extra official.
We’re all to see how that shapes the group, and the coach going forwards.
Put merely, are Salzburg prone to stick or twist with Lijnders?
We really feel that the membership will stick by Lijnders.
The Champions League was all the time going to be powerful with a group so younger, and though it’s not operating too easily within the league both, the group are nonetheless well-placed for now and so they’ll be proper within the title hunt.
After bringing in somebody with a CV like Lijnders’, particularly now Klopp is on board, Salzburg will certainly give him time.
• Thanks once more to The Different Bundesliga for his or her perception into Lijnders’ time at Salzburg. You’ll be able to comply with them on Twitter @OtherBundesliga and hearken to their podcast on Spotify right here.
