22 hours ago
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Pep Guardiola has disclosed that a single phone call was all it took to persuade former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders to join the ranks at Manchester City.
The Dutch tactician parted ways with the Reds last year, stepping down from his position alongside Jurgen Klopp after an illustrious six-year spell at Anfield. Lijnders took the helm at Red Bull Salzburg in May 2024 and officially started in July, but his tenure was cut short in December after securing just 13 wins in 29 matches.
During his stint at Anfield, the 42-year-old had been clear about seeking managerial roles post-Liverpool and had expressed no interest in returning to an assistant role once he left Klopp's team.
Thus, it came as quite the shock when he joined the Reds' arch-rivals, Man City, as Guardiola's new right-hand man earlier this summer.
While their collaboration is still in its infancy, Guardiola has already expressed admiration for his latest recruit while discussing his choice to bring Lijnders on board.
"I know he was with Jurgen [Klopp] for many, many years," Guardiola told Sky Sports' 'One on One Podcast.' "And I thought, 'Okay, if he was with many, many years with Jurgen, this guy must be good!'
"After (that) he has of course been at Salzburg and has experience as a manager.
"We talked just one day and I said I would to (work) with you... sometimes decisions come from the feelings.
"I knew Liverpool played outstanding the decade we have been together. I think he can give us something we didn't have in the last season in terms of rhythm, intensity, in terms of another vision of football.
"Since day one, I think we were incredibly connected. I would say it's so easy to work with me, sorry to tell you, because I give incredible space to do what they believe they have to do. For the players a little bit less but for my staff, it is so easy.
"I think we needed one phone call. And I said, 'Okay, let's do it. Let's go together.' That's the way it was."
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has already highlighted Lijnders' influence on Man City during their win over Wolves.
"Pep Lijnders is a big coach, big influence on Jurgen Klopp and I did see little instance of that Liverpool team," Carragher said on Sky Sports' 'Monday Night Football.' "I watched the game at the weekend and couldn't believe what I saw, the players were jumping high up to try and catch the Wolves players offside.
"This is very Liverpool-like. It made me think how much influence is maybe the new coach having on this team...
"The amount of counter-attacking goals that Liverpool team would score with [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah, breaking forward. When I looked at the goal from Reijnders... not maybe a Pep Guardiola goal.
"Of course, Pep Guardiola's teams have scored plenty of counter-attacking goals in the past. But what really stood out for this one was the type of goal it was. They win it and then they're off.
"Lijnders - Guardiola gives him the thanks, the hug. Now we don't know exactly what that's for, but I don't think it's a coincidence with some of the things that I saw in the game that he, as a coach, is having a big influence on Pep Guardiola."
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