Pepijn Lijnders, the long-time Liverpool assistant manager, is set to take the next step in his career and move into management this summer. Lijnders, who has been with the club since before Jurgen Klopp’s arrival, will leave along with Klopp at the end of the season. His only previous managerial experience was a short stint in charge of NEC Nijmegen before returning to his role as assistant manager at Liverpool.
Lijnders has attracted the attention of Red Bull Salzburg, an intriguing club that is looking for a new head coach. The Times’ Paul Joyce reports that Salzburg is particularly interested in Lijnders and sees him as the perfect fit for their team. This could be a significant development for both Lijnders and Liverpool.
One advantage of Lijnders joining Salzburg is his strong relationship with Liverpool’s elite development coach, Vitor Matos. Matos will also be leaving Liverpool this summer, and he could potentially join Lijnders as his assistant at Salzburg. This connection between the two coaches could benefit Liverpool, especially considering the existing strong ties between the Red Bull group and Liverpool.
Liverpool has previously conducted business with Salzburg and their sister club RB Leipzig. They signed Takumi Minamino from Salzburg, and they have acquired players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, and Naby Keita from Leipzig. Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s CEO of football for Fenway Sports Group, has developed relationships with the Red Bull clubs, which could facilitate future collaborations.
One potential area of collaboration is player loans. Lijnders and Matos are both familiar with the young talent at Liverpool and are strong advocates for their development. A loan arrangement with Salzburg could provide valuable playing time and experience for Liverpool’s promising young players.
On the other hand, Salzburg’s success in finishing top of the Austrian Bundesliga would earn them a spot in the Champions League. This could attract Liverpool players to Salzburg, as the prospect of playing in Europe’s elite competition is always appealing.
Overall, Lijnders’ potential move to Salzburg represents an exciting opportunity for both the coach and Liverpool. It could strengthen the already positive relationship between Liverpool and the Red Bull clubs, potentially leading to future collaborations and player exchanges. Additionally, it would provide Lijnders with valuable managerial experience as he takes the next step in his career.