Jurgen Klopp’s former right-hand man Pep Lijnders has joined Liverpool’s title rivals Manchester City.
Lijnders helped mastermind the Merseysiders winning the Premier League title in 2020 as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup the year before. He left along with Klopp at the end of the 2023-24 campaign with Liverpool turning to Arne Slot.
The 42-year-old Dutchman had a short spell as head coach of RB Salzburg – his second failed managerial stint following an equally disappointing time at NEC Nijmegen – but has now returned to England.
He has already started work alongside another former Liverpool man James French.
We’re delighted to confirm two key appointments to @PepTeam‘s first team coaching set-up.
Pepijn Lijnders has been appointed as assistant coach while James French joins as set-piece coach.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 10, 2025
French joins City as set-piece coach after 13 years at Anfield as first-team opposition analyst.
Viana hails double appointment
The appointments are a major coup for Pep Guardiola as he looks rebound from a relatively poor season that saw City finish third in the Premier League.
Director of football Hugo Viana said: “We are all delighted that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching set-up.
“Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years.
“Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.
“And I have no doubt at all that both will prove to be very important assets for Pep and his coaching team as we prepare for the Club World Cup and then the 2025/26 season.”
