Pepijn Lijnders, former assistant coach at Liverpool, has embarked on a new chapter in his career as the head coach of Red Bull Salzburg. Joined by Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer, Lijnders has traded Merseyside for Austria in pursuit of a top job. Their pre-season is already underway, with their season kicking off on August 2, two weeks ahead of the Premier League.
Currently in a training camp in Saalfelden, which Lijnders is familiar with, the trio’s schedule includes various friendlies. Their first friendly took place on Saturday against German third-tier side SpVgg Unterhaching. Following in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps, Lijnders fielded two different XIs in each half of the match. Salzburg secured a 3-0 victory, with a 2-0 lead in the first half and an additional goal in the second half.
Lijnders implemented a 4-3-3 formation, mirroring the style of play he witnessed at Liverpool. The hallmark of his side will be their intensity, a quality familiar to Reds fans. In an interview with Salzburg’s official website, Lijnders expressed his desire to press opponents and dominate matches with high energy and a good tempo. Despite the challenging weather conditions and a grueling week of training, Lijnders commended the players’ attitude and body language.
Drawing inspiration from his time at Liverpool, Lijnders aims to replicate their success at Salzburg. This includes establishing a leadership group and placing emphasis on nurturing youth talent. While it is only a pre-season outing and their first game, Lijnders can derive confidence from the team’s performance and the positive start to their journey at Salzburg.
Lijnders’ move to Red Bull Salzburg marks an important milestone in his coaching career. As he navigates his way through pre-season preparations and builds his team’s identity, he will continue to draw on the lessons learned from his time at Liverpool. With a strong emphasis on intensity and a focus on youth development, Lijnders aims to replicate the success he experienced with the Reds at Salzburg. The first friendly match against SpVgg Unterhaching showcased promising signs of progress, with a convincing 3-0 victory. As the season approaches, Lijnders’ leadership and coaching style will undoubtedly shape the future of Red Bull Salzburg.