Pepijn Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s trusted assistant, has emerged as a potential candidate for the managerial position at Besiktas. The Turkish club is on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Fernando Santos last week. While Lijnders initially ruled himself out of contention to replace Klopp at Liverpool, he is now actively seeking a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Recent reports suggest that Lijnders has been linked to Ajax for several weeks and is considered a strong contender to steer the club through a transitional period. However, Besiktas has also shown interest in the Dutchman’s services. James Pearce of The Athletic has confirmed Besiktas’ interest in Lijnders, highlighting the club’s desire to improve after finishing nearly 40 points behind league leaders Galatasaray this season.
It’s worth noting that Besiktas is already familiar to Lijnders, as it is currently home to former Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Besiktas as a free agent last summer and has made 23 appearances for the Turkish side.
Turkish outlet Sabah recently reported that Besiktas has identified Lijnders as a realistic target to fill the managerial position, which is currently being temporarily occupied by Serdar Topraktepe. The club sacked Santos after a string of five winless league games, making him their fourth manager to be dismissed this season, following Senol Gunes, Burak Yilmaz, and Riza Calimbay.
While Besiktas may not offer the most stable environment for Lijnders’ return to solo senior management, he has expressed his desire to join a club that truly wants him. In response to Klopp’s announcement that he would be leaving Liverpool, Lijnders stated, “I’m excited to manage, I’m excited to go, to find the right club who really wants [me].” This indicates that Lijnders is actively seeking a project where he can make a meaningful impact and receive genuine support from the club.
As the managerial search at Besiktas unfolds, it will be interesting to see if Lijnders emerges as the leading candidate and whether he will be enticed by the opportunity to guide the Turkish club through a period of rebuilding and improvement. With his experience and expertise alongside Klopp at Liverpool, Lijnders could potentially bring a fresh perspective and tactical acumen to Besiktas, revitalizing the team and aiming for success in the future.