Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp's former assistant at Liverpool, told the story of his relationship with the German mentor before moving to the position of head rival Manchester City..

Around 2025, after a recent spell at Salzburg, Lijnders rejected the offer of becoming Pep Guardioli's assistant at Manchester City. Respecting the principle of supernity between Liverpool and the City in the future, the Dutchman went out and wanted to be happy with his big boss.

Klopp’s reaction was both unequivocal and unambiguous: “When I talked to Jurgen, I said very clearly: “If you can’t do anything, I myself will go to work as an assistant.”! "

According to Lijnders, this heat and encouragement from Klopp helped him accept the importance of his decision. " If Pep Guardiola telephoned me to confirm his plans and trust me. This made the decision much easier. I am very proud to come to a club of this magnitude, which has been so successful and worked with a coach who has contributed to the development of football,” said Lijnders.

Now Lijnders is working side by side with Guardiola, and Jurgen Klopp is taking over the planting of the global football core of the Red Bull company. Tim is keen to increasingly connect Klopp with possible coaching moves, looking forward to Real Madrid for the 2026/27 season.