Pep Lijnders has revealed that Jurgen Klopp approached him about potentially taking over as Liverpool manager. Lijnders, who was previously the Reds’ assistant manager, has recently been appointed as the new coach of RB Salzburg.
Speaking to The Athletic, Lijnders said, “Jürgen had made up his mind and I was quite clear that it was the right time for me to come forward. In the last three years, I have said no to many clubs. The reason why I always stayed was out of loyalty to Jürgen and FSG. I really wanted to go and show what I could do.”
Despite Klopp’s inquiries, Lijnders never seriously considered replacing him at Liverpool. “Jürgen asked me about it a few times in recent years. The season before I was asked by Jürgen and twice this season, but each time I said ‘no’. The first reason was that I really felt that this was ‘our’ project,” Lijnders explained.
He continued, “Jürgen led it and I really felt that we should finish this project together. Secondly, I have been in Liverpool for almost ten years. I was ready for a new experience: new people, my own staff, my own players. I gave everything I had to this playing group. I think the team would continue in the same way if I stayed here. I feel the team also needs something new. But I never knew 100 percent what my answer would be if Mike Gordon called me. You say ‘no, no, no’, but then…”
Lijnders’ move to RB Salzburg marks a new chapter in his career, and he is excited about the opportunity to work with a different team. “I was ready for a new experience,” he said. “I wanted to work with new people, have my own staff, and my own players. I have been in Liverpool for almost ten years, and I felt it was time for a change.”
While Lijnders is grateful for his time at Liverpool, he believes that the team needs a fresh perspective. “I think the team would continue in the same way if I stayed here,” he stated. “But I also feel that the team needs something new. It’s important to keep evolving and challenging ourselves.”
As Lijnders embarks on this new adventure, he remains grateful for the support he received from Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy. “I always stayed out of loyalty to Jürgen and FSG,” he acknowledged. “But now, I’m ready to show what I can do in a different environment.”
