Pepijn Lijnders, former assistant manager of Liverpool, has recently disclosed that he was seriously considered to replace Jurgen Klopp as the manager of the club. This revelation comes as a surprise to many, as it was widely believed that Lijnders would be a strong contender for the position once Klopp decided to step down.
However, when Klopp announced his departure in January, Lijnders’ name was immediately ruled out, and the role was given to fellow Dutchman Arne Slot. In an interview with The Athletic, Lijnders shed light on the situation, stating that Liverpool’s owners had indeed considered him for the job.
Lijnders recounted a conversation he had with FSG President Mike Gordon in early February, where Gordon expressed their consideration but ultimately decided against it. He quoted Gordon as saying, “Pep, we really considered you, but I think it’s fair for you that we don’t put you after Jurgen.”
In addition to this, Lijnders revealed that Klopp himself had asked him about his intentions to take over as Liverpool’s manager in the past. Lijnders admitted that Klopp had posed the question a few times in recent years, including twice this season. However, each time he declined, citing two main reasons.
Firstly, Lijnders expressed his belief that the Liverpool project was a collective effort led by Klopp, and he felt it was important to see it through together. Secondly, after almost a decade with the club, Lijnders felt ready for a new experience. He wanted to work with new people, build his own staff and work with his own players. He felt that the team itself needed something fresh and believed they would continue with the same approach if he stayed.
Despite turning down the opportunity at Liverpool, Lijnders had a brief stint as a manager at NEC Nijmegen in 2018. However, he returned to Merseyside after only half a season. Now, as he takes on the manager’s role at RB Salzburg, Lijnders brings with him more experience and a clearer vision of how he wants his teams to play.
RB Salzburg is a club in good standing, although they finished second in the league after a decade of consecutive titles. This new challenge will allow Lijnders to further develop as a manager and make his mark on a team that has already achieved significant success.
Overall, Lijnders’ revelation about being considered for the Liverpool job provides insight into the club’s decision-making process and the high regard in which he is held by the owners. It also highlights Lijnders’ dedication to the collective project at Liverpool and his desire for a fresh start in his managerial career. As he embarks on his new role at RB Salzburg, it will be interesting to see how Lijnders’ ideas and principles shape the team’s future success.