Pep Lijnders discusses how near he was to taking over as Liverpool manager from Jurgen Klopp.

When the German revealed he was leaving Liverpool, Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s longstanding assistant, was seen as a possible replacement. However, he has since joined RB Salzburg.

According to Pep Lijnders, he was “really considered” to take over as manager of Liverpool in place of Jurgen Klopp.

After leaving briefly in 2018 to manage the Dutch club NEC, Lijnders has had two stints as Klopp’s assistant at Anfield. When it was reported in January that the Liverpool manager would be stepping down this summer, some saw Lijnders as the obvious choice to succeed him.

But since then, RB Salzburg’s new head coach is Lijnders, and Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has taken over. Lijnders said to the Athletic when asked if he had considered running for Klopp’s job: “Jurgen asked me about it a few times in recent years.”

“I answered ‘no’ to Jurgen’s query twice this season, as well as the season before. Firstly, I genuinely believed that this was ‘we’ doing the project. I really believed that we ought to wrap up this project together, and Jurgen spearheaded it.

“Secondly, I have almost ten years of experience at Liverpool. I was eager to meet new people and work with my own team of gamers. I threw my all into this playing group. If I stayed here, I believe the team would carry on in the same manner.

“I think the team could use some fresh energy as well. However, I was never entirely certain of how I would react if Mike Gordon called. “No, no, no,” you say, but then…

Soon after it became known that Klopp would be stepping down, Gordon spoke with Lijnders, but in the end, it was determined that it would be better for both sides if they took a different course.

“Mike said, ‘Pep, we really considered you, but I think it’s fair for you that we don’t put you after Jurgen’,” he went on. “Mike is a decent man. He was also aware.

My ambition was evident. For the future, that was ideal.” Lijnders continues, “I’m not going to Salzburg for one or two years. I’m looking forward to a fresh start in Austria.” I’m really eager to go there and start construction.”

More news…..

Ahead of team changes Arne Slot reveals a significant Liverpool summer move

Arne Slot, the new manager of Liverpool, has made recommendations regarding Feyenoord in advance of his impending departure.

As he gets ready to start moulding the Liverpool team, Arne Slot has stated that he will not be looking to raid Feyenoord for players this summer.

Official confirmation of Slot’s hiring as Reds boss is anticipated later this month. Slot will follow departed manager Jurgen Klopp.

On Sunday, both will lead their current clubs for the last time. Liverpool will host Wolves in the Premier League, while Feyenoord will host Excelsior in the Eredivisie.

Given his track record with the Dutch team—he won the Dutch Cup this season, claimed the domestic championship the previous season, and advanced to the Europa Conference League final—Slot emerged as the front-runner to succeed Klopp.

David Hancko

Many of the 45-year-old’s current Feyenoord teammates, such as midfielder Mats Wieffer, defender Lutsharel Geerteruida, who recently attended the Reds’ draw at West Ham United, and center-back David Hancko, are already being linked to a summer transfer to Liverpool.

However, Slot has advised Feyenoord that they would be better off keeping the nucleus of their team, suggesting he won’t be tempted to push to sign many of their players after moving to Anfield.

“Our goal was and still is to improve the entire team,” he stated to the Dutch publication Algeen Dagblad. “And all of these boys have received the time and support they need to become better.

“Feyenoord’s primary goal should be to limit the number of players who depart. After that, a lot of players will be able to play for the next six months while keeping their eyes closed.