Pepijn Lijnders, the assistant coach of Liverpool, is set to leave the club this summer along with Jurgen Klopp and the rest of the backroom staff. Lijnders, a Dutchman, has expressed his desire to pursue a managerial career, sparking interest from clubs in his native Netherlands, including Ajax and Feyenoord.
Recently, Henk de Jong, a Dutch coach who supports Arne Slot, the incoming head coach at Liverpool, visited the AXA Training Centre. In an interview with ESPN, de Jong revealed that those within Liverpool have high hopes for Lijnders and would like to see him return to the club in the future. De Jong described Lijnders as a “gentleman” and mentioned that the way people at the club talk about him is extraordinary.
De Jong’s visit to Liverpool was at the invitation of Klopp, who considers him a major influence on Slot. Klopp praised Liverpool’s style of play, which he described as a blend of “good Dutch, Cruyffian, and Lijnders-style football” with a touch of German influence. This highlights Lijnders’ significant impact on the club’s success under Klopp. The 41-year-old assistant coach is credited for many of Liverpool’s tactical innovations and leads training sessions.
While it remains uncertain if there are already plans for Lijnders to return as the manager in the future, there is no doubt about the high regard he is held in at Liverpool. The club will be hopeful that Slot can establish himself as a great leader at Anfield. However, if Lijnders proves himself elsewhere, it would be unwise to dismiss the possibility of his return to Liverpool.
Overall, Lijnders’ departure from Liverpool is seen as a loss for the club. His departure leaves behind a void that will need to be filled by someone who can carry on his legacy and contribute to the team’s continued success.