- Man City have reportedly agreed a deal with ex-Liverpool No 2 Pep Lijnders
- Pep Guardiola overhauling backroom staff following a disappointing campaign
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Former Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders has reportedly agreed a deal to join Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City.
Lijnders enjoyed two spells at Anfield that spanned nine years in total, and worked closely alongside Jurgen Klopp as the Reds enjoyed success both at home and on the continent.
However, the Dutchman will now join a new-look backroom at Liverpool’s greatest rivals during that period.
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Lijnders had been earmarked for a place on Guardiola’s bench after the departures of key personnel Juanma Lillo, Carlos Vicens and Inigo Dominguez.
And now, according to a report from The Athletic, a deal between the two parties has been agreed.
Guardiola will be keen to put the preceding campaign behind him as City endured a miserable mid-season slump in the league and ultimately failed to win a major trophy for the first time since 2017.
Former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders has reportedly agreed to join Man City’s coaching staff
The Dutchman spent nine years at Anfield and Jurgen Klopp called him an ‘inspiration’
Now Lijnders will join a new-look backroom staff at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola looks to bounce back following a disappointing campaign
Lijnders joined Klopp in departing Anfield when the German bowed out following a glittering nine-year stint on Merseyside last year.
With his own managerial ambitions the 42-year-old was subsequently appointed head coach of Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.
The move would prove to be short-lived however, as Lijnders was sacked in December following just 29 games in charge with the club floundering in the league table.
The departure prevented a reunion with Klopp, who assumed his role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer the following month.
Klopp has long been a staunch advocate for his former No 2 and heaped praise on Lijnders prior to their Liverpool farewell.
‘The most influential guy in the last years at this club was definitely Pep Lijnders,’ Klopp said.
‘The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional.’
Meanwhile City are preparing to get their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway next month in the United States.
The club will first take on Moroccan side Wydad AC on June 18 before facing Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates, followed by a blockbuster showdown with Serie A giants Juventus.
