Exceptional” Liverpool title winner ‘set to join’ Pep Guardiola at Man City in shock move

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Premier League, reports have emerged suggesting that Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s long-serving and highly influential assistant at Liverpool, is set to join Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s new-look coaching team. The Dutch tactician, long seen as Klopp’s right-hand man and one of the masterminds behind Liverpool’s recent dominance, could now be set to join forces with the man he so often challenged from across the technical area.

This potential appointment comes in the wake of a major shake-up at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City confirmed earlier this week that three key members of Guardiola’s coaching staff—Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens—would be leaving their roles at the end of the season. This mass exodus has opened up opportunities for new additions, and Lijnders appears to be one of the primary candidates to help rebuild City’s coaching infrastructure.

Lijnders’ credentials speak for themselves. During his tenure at Liverpool, he was instrumental in orchestrating the club’s tactical evolution, helping to implement the high-intensity pressing style that defined the Reds under Klopp. His fingerprints were all over the team’s most successful era in decades, which saw them capture the Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and domestic trophies like the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Manchester City’s decision to target Lijnders is not only a testament to his pedigree but also a signal of their intent to refresh and evolve Guardiola’s all-conquering side. With Juanma Lillo heading back to Spain, and Vicens accepting a head coach role at Braga, there’s a renewed opportunity for fresh tactical minds to shape City’s future, and Lijnders could be a key puzzle piece in that vision.

The irony of the move has not gone unnoticed. Liverpool and City have been fierce rivals in recent years, battling for supremacy in both England and Europe. That one of Liverpool’s most celebrated coaches could now be on his way to the Etihad feels like a plot twist worthy of a footballing soap opera. For many Reds fans, Lijnders isn’t just any coach—he’s viewed as a co-architect of a golden era, someone who helped rebuild the club’s identity alongside Klopp.

Pep Lijnders’ journey to prominence has been anything but ordinary. A native of the Netherlands, he started his career in youth coaching before joining Porto, where he gained valuable experience. His early success caught the attention of Liverpool, and in 2014 he was brought in to oversee the club’s development squads. When Klopp arrived in 2015, Lijnders quickly became a key figure in the senior coaching setup, thanks to his tactical acumen and ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terms.

Though he briefly left Liverpool in 2018 to manage NEC Breda, his time in the Netherlands was short-lived. The stint offered valuable lessons in leadership and team management, and he returned to Anfield more prepared and more determined. His second spell at Liverpool saw him take on an even more prominent role, helping Klopp fine-tune the team’s tactics and set-piece strategies. He became a vital cog in the machine, often taking press conferences in Klopp’s absence and being mentioned frequently by players and staff alike for his behind-the-scenes influence.

His influence was acknowledged publicly by Jurgen Klopp when both men announced their exits from the club. “The most influential guy in the last years definitely in this club was Pep Lijnders,” Klopp said in a heartfelt farewell. He went on to describe Lijnders as an “inspiration,” and credited him for being a driving force behind Liverpool’s trophy haul. “The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional. The relationship we grew is absolutely exceptional. Outstanding, everything.”

Following his Liverpool exit, Lijnders accepted a head coach position at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg—a move that was widely seen as the next logical step in his coaching development. Salzburg’s style, built on high pressing and youth development, seemed tailor-made for him. Yet, results didn’t go as expected. Despite flashes of brilliance and a strong start, inconsistency plagued his time in Austria, and he was dismissed after just six months.

Even so, the setback hasn’t tarnished his reputation. If anything, it’s a reminder of the challenges coaches face when transitioning from a support role to the spotlight of head management. Now, the chance to reunite with a top-tier club and work alongside a manager of Guardiola’s caliber could be just the right opportunity to revitalize his career trajectory.

Reports suggest that Manchester City were swift in contacting Lijnders once the coaching positions became available. With Guardiola known for his meticulous attention to detail, it’s no surprise that he sees value in Lijnders’ vast experience, especially in the Premier League. The Dutchman’s pressing knowledge could inject new dimensions into City’s attacking transitions, adding to Guardiola’s famed possession-based system.

The potential dynamic between Guardiola and Lijnders is particularly fascinating. While their tactical foundations are different, both share a deep appreciation for intelligent, proactive football. Guardiola’s intricate patterns of play and Lijnders’ aggressive, vertical philosophy could merge into a hybrid style that gives City even greater unpredictability against opponents.

Adding to the intrigue is the reported interest in Kolo Toure as another member of the incoming coaching staff. The former City and Liverpool defender, who has been building a coaching career in recent years under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, may reunite with familiar faces at the Etihad. Toure’s playing pedigree and coaching insight could further solidify an experienced and diverse backroom team capable of guiding City into the next era.

For City, these changes mark the start of a new cycle. With Guardiola’s contract nearing its final years and speculation continuing about his long-term future, building a robust coaching team capable of maintaining the club’s elite standards is paramount. Lijnders could be viewed not just as an assistant but perhaps as a successor-in-waiting, should Guardiola decide to step away when his current deal expires.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the potential move will sting. Not only is one of their most respected coaches joining a direct rival, but he may also be bringing with him tactical insights into how Klopp’s Liverpool operated—knowledge that could prove valuable to Guardiola in future meetings between the two sides.

Nevertheless, the story of Pep Lijnders’ move to Manchester City is far from just a betrayal narrative. It’s a testament to his skill, his ambition, and the respect he commands in elite football circles. As City prepare to defend their Premier League crown yet again, the addition of someone like Lijnders could be a masterstroke—one that ensures their tactical evolution continues at full throttle.

Only time will tell how this move pans out, but one thing is certain: Pep Lijnders’ presence at the Etihad is bound to change the narrative of the Premier League in ways we are only beginning to understand.