In a move that underscores the deep professional respect between two of the Premier League’s greatest modern rivals, Pep Guardiola has appointed former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders to his Manchester City backroom staff—but not before personally asking for Jürgen Klopp’s blessing. The appointment sees Lijnders back in the Premier League far sooner than expected and working for Liverpool’s direct competitor.
A Conversation Between Rivals
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States, Guardiola confirmed the sequence of events. He revealed that during a long, unrelated conversation with Klopp, he raised the idea of approaching Lijnders.
“I suggested I was thinking about Pep and he gave his opinion,” Guardiola stated. “It was of course so high, he was his right-hand in one of the most successful periods of Liverpool.”
Guardiola emphasized that out of respect, he formally asked for permission before making contact. “I asked permission from Jurgen, of course, because I didn’t want to interfere much,” he explained. “I said to him ‘Would it be a problem to talk to him?’ and he said absolutely not.” Following Klopp’s approval, Guardiola and Lijnders spoke and agreed to a deal within a couple of days.
This move comes after Lijnders had previously stated he would not assist any manager other than Klopp, making his new role at the Etihad a surprising turn of events for many Liverpool supporters.
A New-Look City Staff
Lijnders joins Man City as part of a broader staff overhaul. He effectively replaces Juanma Lillo, who, along with Carlos Vicens and Inigo Dominguez, departed at the end of last season. Guardiola has also brought in James French as a set-piece coach and enlisted former player Kolo Toure to assist during the Club World Cup.
The coaching changes coincide with significant player recruitment, including the signings of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki, signaling a major refresh for the Premier League champions.
What to Watch For:
- Lijnders’ Tactical Influence: How much of the high-energy, pressing “Liverpool DNA” will Lijnders bring to City’s tactical setup? His integration will be fascinating to observe.
- The On-Field Reunions: The 2025/26 fixtures have already set the dates for two highly anticipated reunions. Liverpool will face Lijnders and City at the Etihad on November 8, before the return fixture at Anfield on February 7.
- Future Head Coach Ambitions: Lijnders still has ambitions to be a head coach again. His contract is for an initial year with an option for a second, raising the question of whether this is a short-term project or a long-term partnership with Guardiola.
