.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups as well as pair of British & Irish Lions trips u2022 Previously rugby editor, and became senior author in 2018The wall surfaces of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand-new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked cartons on the floor have moments of his experience from coaching apprentice at PSV to ending up being Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp calls it. There are actually bordered photos, tshirts as well as match spheres from the many finals he assisted the team reach.But there is actually one other memento he treasures most of all as it sums up what he's zealous regarding developing youth, and observing all of them thrive on football's greatest phase. Close to among the suit rounds coming from the 2019 Champions Game final is actually a photo coming from the celebrations after Liverpool's conquest. It is actually an image of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold bordered it and also inflicted him when Lijnders left Liverpool in addition to Klopp in May. The subtitle reads: "This is my favorite photo people, too. Thanks for absolutely every little thing. Without you, none of it was actually achievable. Trent." Lijnders has obtained webpages as well as webpages of instruction sessions going back two decades. His quest started in 2002 as youth instructor at PSV, in 2006 he moved to FC Porto, at that point in 2014 he overcame the Liverpool places to end up being a train under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, just before he determined to fit his own during a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He came back to Liverpool six months later on with fantastic excellence and also, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "ideas for the last 9 years." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually now embarking on an additional trip at FC Salzburg, wanting to route impacts like Johan Cruyff, the dad of Dutch "Overall Regulation Football," Italian lofty as well as a/c Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his very own approach as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and also he is actually not staying under Klopp's wing.The course coming from aide under a famous manager to supervisor in your very own right is actually a well-trodden one. There are actually excellence tales: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's conservation in 2019 for the Toolbox task as well as has actually done surprisingly well in a brief area of your time Josu00e9 Mourinho was actually assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona just before bursting out on his personal to become one of the absolute most prosperous managers of perpetuity brand new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca operated under Guardiola while the excellent Joe Fagan took what he learned from famous duo Costs Shankly as well as Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. However at that point there are actually the red flags as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson John Sculptor succeeded under Robson and also Alan Pardew at Newcastle yet flopped when he took charge as sitter in 2015. Therefore, it is actually keeping that past of unpredictability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He desires his crew to be understood for his master plan of footballing "strength." However he won't be given very long a grace period. His crew have actually helped make a gauged start-- succeeding 8 coming from 14 games, yet dropping 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Game on Tuesday-- as well as while it's a group renowned for young people advancement, the followers count on excellence provided last season was their initial without flatware for a years." We're attempting to make a team that may trump anyone in world soccer," Lijnders informed ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts there yet? No, not. However our team're on training course." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp construct one of the very best Liverpool groups in the record of the club. ( Picture by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Lijnders' playing job as a quarrelsome midfielder for regional amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German border was actually cut short at 17 years of ages as a result of an ACL personal injury. He headed to the Central Principle for Sports Leader Training (CIOS) to analyze and began operating at PSV Eindhoven, acquiring the only training instruction on offer to pupils on the program. As he managed his studies and his task at PSV, he also took charge of SVEB's gets, where he initially made an effort to implement his approach: a mix of "Overall Regulation Football" (a fluid soccer system motivating positional interchange championed by Cruyff) as well as ruthless counter-pressing." I possessed the emotion players revitalized when I coached, which gives you self-confidence," he says.The instruction along with PSV was actually implied to become a five-year job, but he was actually rewarded a full-time agreement after 3 years, and also spent the upcoming 2 years flitting between the United States and also the Netherlands with fellow coach Frans Hoek while building skills like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He picked up from the epic Guus Hiddink when he was PSV coach coming from 2002 to 2006 and informs ESPN: "Guus gave colour to Dutch football in the way Ju00fcrgen gave colour to German regulation football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed passion coming from MTK Budapest, but took up a contract at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every phrase. Frade-- appreciated by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and plenty of others-- was actually an university lecturer who was additionally assistant manager at Porto and also the daddy of tactical periodisation (essentially utilizing instruction as a mirror for suit magnitude as well as rhythm, rather than a separated physical exercise). Lijnders remembers their tactical advancements back then and breaks into a large smile, referencing a flying photo he has of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's setup where he deployed entirely wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. At that time it blew his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade condition for the nightclub's plan to re-think the institute's connection with the first team. "I qualified all the staffs-- U19 in the early morning, U15 in the afternoon, as well as U12 and U11 in the evening," he says. "Sometimes I will possess 40 players, yet I didn't communicate a word of Portuguese." Despite that obstacle, Porto prospered. The nightclub taken with talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was likewise midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer who captained Lijnders' young people crews at Porto, functioned as explainer, as well as an individual who Lijnders created that he "enjoys to bits" in his 2022 manual "Magnitude."" That's why I really love soccer a great deal," Lijnders says. "The partnership you build with the gamers. If that bond isn't there certainly, there is actually no chance to excellence." He was sounded out by Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as an achievable add-on to Ferguson's backroom workers at Guy United, yet that fell down when Ferguson resigned in the end of that period. And also through mid-2014, Lijnders awaited a brand-new problem. While examining for his UEFA training badges under the advice of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually applied for a young people train job at Liverpool task, so the club delivered U23 supervisor Michael Beale as well as academy supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to pay attention to some of his discussions. It got the job done: "Michael pointed out to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually certainly not flying back to Porto, you are actually including me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' most important skills was actually supporting and identifying institute skill just before giving them a chance to increase by means of the rankings. ( Image by Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Images) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that night, was put up in a lodging, and also for 3 times they spoke. It wound up with Liverpool supplying Lijnders an agreement to organize the U16 and also U15s: a group that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, as well as, significantly, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summer months Lijnders was ensured to a work with the first team under Rodgers, but when the Northern Irishman was sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the group's owners Fenway Sports Group) talked to Lijnders to maintain Liverpool's training ground Melwood ticking over while they engaged in Klopp. Obviously, when the German took control of there were actually no guarantees he was heading to always keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' personnel had left currently, yet Gordon talked to the brand-new manager to keep on a couple of trainers from the previous regimen. Klopp still possessed last word, but levelled to the idea.The initially was John Achtenberg. "Excellent, since I didn't possess a goalkeeping coach," Klopp don't forgets telling Gordon. He inquired his brand new supervisor: "What does the various other fella perform?" Gordon said Lijnders was actually a "technological instructor" a pro in tiding over in between youth as well as first string." In Germany, no person spends for an instructor like that," Klopp informs ESPN. "They would certainly claim, 'You yearn for a second aide for what? What are you carrying out?' Therefore, I liked the concept a whole lot." It was a high-end to Klopp, however he still really did not understand a lot regarding this young Dutch trainer. Therefore on his opening night at the nightclub, the new-look Liverpool administration got to know for supper in the Hope Street Lodging. Klopp had his trusted personnel Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz there certainly with him, but he wanted to be familiar with the brand new skins. Achtenberg sat to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was essentially enjoy at first sight," Klopp points out of Lijnders. "I saw his enthusiasm for every thing." Klopp additionally viewed how much Lijnders recognized him. "I do not view myself as a remarkable coach," he mentions. "I recognize some individuals for one reason or another assume that, and also you could see it in Pep's eyes. You can see him think, 'I much better pay attention.' That's exactly how it began. Due to the end, we were actually equivalent partners." play1:40 Michallik: Slot producing Liverpool's post-Klopp transition painlessJanusz Michallik claims the biggest favor you may spend Arne Slot is actually that he's stopped pundits talking about life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' initial part under Klopp was as best development coach. He loves flipcharts as well as each aspect of his planned vision was actually written down on these substantial notepads. Klopp always remembers those very early meetings, and also how whenever he will talk, he will hear Lijnders' marker jotting away, writing every thing he said.At this stage, Klopp got in touch with Buvac the "brain" as well as Krawietz the "eye." Chatting in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp said: "Pep has ended up being incredibly essential quickly given that he creates every thing down. He is additionally aspect of 'the mind' given that he is our thoughts to keep in mind things what our experts did in previous treatments ... I got the Dutch coach who was actually opposed to things! Dutch regulation football is actually possession-based: it's Total Soccer, Cruyff. But he was actually a counter-pressing creature. I liked his enjoyment and the technique he avoids the burdened when he refers to soccer." One of his biggest additions because first time frame at Liverpool came in pushing Klopp to offer a few of the academy gamers an odds in the first string, with Alexander-Arnold one of the first promoted in 2016 at the age of 18." I can compose a book regarding the second he to begin with told me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp says to ESPN. "Our company opened the door Trent operated right through it. His ideal foot is actually preposterous. The Trent highlights video recording is absurd. You don't require the goals, it's the passes, you see the successfully pases and also believe 'Just how is actually that feasible?' It's a totally various sporting activity." Lijnders likewise possessed a big effect in bridging the gap in between first string as well as academy. "I picked up from him," Klopp incorporates. "He opened my mind for different factors in football. As we all age, the range between you and also the age of the gamer group grows. My two kids maintained me in contact with that said creation, yet obviously, the next generation of world-class trains are actually currently available. There is actually regularly alter, advancement and also improvement. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders possessed a short job at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen before returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Image by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC using Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders said extra obligation: preparing training as well as the schedule around complements. Off the pitch, the two frequently played padel as well as became exceptionally near friends.Liverpool ended up 4th in 2016-17 but, midway by means of the following campaign, Lijnders was actually being actually appeared out concerning a head-coach position of his personal back in the Netherlands. Eager to come back to his home to be with his father as he battled cancer, the 34-year-old made a decision to take the top project at then-second department side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His target was actually to safeguard promotion back to the Eredivisie, but it confirmed to become an unfortunate spell as well as they lost in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the part, he left through shared contract on Might 17." I have always taken complete duty and also never mentioned a bad phrase about NEC," Lijnders says. "It is actually a stunning club, but in some cases the timing is actually wrong. In some cases there is actually no click, or often you participate in a club where you require determination. But I take task. I do not would like to say too much regarding it, given that every thing I say might come upon wrong. I found out a whole lot to take right into my upcoming job." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually gone on in April as well as Klopp was seeking a brand new aide. Certainly, he yearned for Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders remained in the backyard with his partner Danielle as well as mom when his phone called. It was actually Klopp, and also Danielle asked what the call was about. "He told me our company're visiting control the globe," Lijnders said to her.Just 19 times after he left behind NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant manager was actually declared on June 5." All of us know there is actually a renowned phrase: 'You may discover more coming from defeats than from constant success,'" Klopp mentions. "I'm uncertain it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was actually an actual defeat, however it wasn't well prepared, I assume our company may mention that. Our experts failed to talk a whole lot about it, it was actually not important. I was actually merely delighted he went back." A golden returnPep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp posture along with the FA Cup and also the Carabao Mug prize during the Liverpool parade on Might 29, 2022. ( Image through Jan Kruger/Getty Photos) Over the upcoming few years, Klopp and also Lijnders will obtain impressive results together at Liverpool. The glorious second was actually the 2019 Champions League ultimate gain Tottenham Hotspur, but that was actually just some of a number of prizes including the 2019-20 Premier Game title, 2022 FA Cup, 2019 Group Globe Mug, as well as 2022 and 2024 League Cups.Lijnders sympathized all the crucial instants, both in the public eye as well as in the shades as they sketched their results. He was explainer on decision when Klopp was actually trying to persuade Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to participate in the group in January 2022, and also remembers being in Klopp's home kitchen making an effort to exercise how to urge centre-back Virgil van Dijk to authorize coming from Southampton in January 2018. However by means of all the joy and also setbacks, the work took its own cost. And also before the 2023-24 season started, Klopp and Lijnders began to think about the finishing point." It was taking place in the [2023] summer, [with] an incredibly complicated year responsible for our team," Lijnders says of an initiative where the club finished 5th and also were actually knocked senseless of the Champions Organization in the around of 16. "Our company enjoyed we gained the last 8, nine games of the time, our team still mosted likely to Europe. Our company modified the unit Trent went extra inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer months our company presently explained if it was actually the right time to go, or if it was the right time to carry on. We said 'yes, our company'll perform one more year as well as we'll see in January.' Yet through November-time, Ju00fcrgen mentioned: 'I'm done.' And also I pointed out, 'Yes if that holds true, it is actually opportunity for me to go also.' I have actually possessed several, nice promotions in recent times, yet I intended to finish the venture with him. My hookup is incredibly strong with him: he is actually a bro, a father, an advisor. Beyond my family members as well as closest good friends, he understands me much better than anybody." On May 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the ultimate opportunity as they defeat Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the pitch, soaking in the unfiltered adulation, posturing for plenty of pictures, he discovered himself back in the innards of Anfield and also there was an unusual instant of quiet." We will had Louise Dobson, the crew manager, telling our company where to go and when, and our company were so touched [by the events]," he says. "In the long run, it was merely Pep as well as me. Our team had splits in our eyes. We understood our team were actually honored also due to the fact that in our service, you are available in through the front door as well as they push you out the back entrance. We were honored and also we could possibly walk out by means of the frontal door. Our team wrote a publication all together and also was the last section. And also we took pleasure in that as much [as our company might] given that you understand it's certainly not forever. That's lifestyle." After an evening partying, as well as, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family controling the dancing floor, focus turned to the future. Lijnders had already been dealing with enthusiasm from nightclubs keen to speak with him regarding forthcoming opportunities, and he knew it was actually time for his household to experience something brand new." You have 10 years in Liverpool, in Formby, a small town, you have everything there, right?" he says. "So my kids understand nothing at all other than England, Liverpool and also the nightclub. They believe every arena resembles Anfield." Lijnders simply spoke to clubs who would certainly explore him in person in Formby, and also each time he 'd try to find specific guarantees. However it was Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that attracted him. The team had withstood a difficult 2023-24 campaign, which saw then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as succeeded the frequent period but ended up second in the Champion Round to Sturm Graz to end their first trophyless period in a decade.After a see to Salzburg to explore the club face to face, Lijnders' other half Danielle turned to their youngest son, Romijn, as well as inquired: "What perform you think of Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I miss it presently." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has made Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Spot Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik cover how Liverpool employer Arne Slot is obtaining the very best away from his team, particularly Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 get Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg defeated FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to get approved for the Champions League group stage. "We want to be actually the team that can easily trump any person on the planet," Lijnders says. "Are our experts there but? No, obviously certainly not ... our company have actually only started. However I want the fans to assume, "okay, this is the new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing philosophy greatly embedded, Lijnders also prefers his Salzburg to suffocate the opposition. "You may play a leading type of regulation football, where you may have the ball in the rival's half a whole lot," he incorporates. "Our team are actually young, we excel, our experts are full of blowing. Our team don't yearn for the opponent to possess any time. There is actually a lot skill here, so much electricity, a lot young people. "Our company have a much smaller squad, 16 or even 17 players, and also offers our team room for the institute." With a mantra of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Football from tomorrow] and also a record of unparalleled gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and also Dayot Upamecano having actually happened with the positions, the nightclub's focus is very much on youth the oldest players in the team are actually goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield gamers are 25. Given that Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have actually presently robbed his aged club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on funding, while the new supervisor likewise brought trainers Vitor Matos as well as Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The wild individuals coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool trainers still have their WhatsApp group available it's knowned as the "Precious stone Dogs," motivated through Apple television series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the conversation is as active as ever, with Klopp always keeping a near eye on exactly how Lijnders is actually making out." Everybody along with a little a football eye can observe his effect," Klopp mentions. "I enjoy this good mix of true intensity, a very clear tip and property. I told him after a game recently, you can easily observe this group has a great instructor. That's just how I determine trainers my whole life-- you see the activities, and after that you question who coaches all of them. They play well. I presume it is actually a great deal for him at Salzburg. It's thus wise coming from him, as well as it's so clever from Salzburg." Salzburg's league time began along with four victories, a draw and a loss, however it has additionally viewed damaging reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and Brest (4-0) in the Champions Organization. He acquired some objection for fielding groups versus Sparta as well as Austria Wien without any Austrian gamers in the lineup, however Lijnders knows there will be actually times when type slumps and stress increases. He will definitely adhere to his concepts which have actually offered him well thus far." It's darker as well as lonely when you do not succeed, and when you enter such a period, it could be black, alone as well as unpleasant," he states. "Yet when you're teaching on the field, aiding gamers improve, I will certainly never ever receive tired of that. In those seconds you have to hang on to what makes you, as a player, as well as an instructor." Every instructor is going to undergo hard time periods, however there is actually nothing at all inappropriate with that said. I recognize I play with higher threat, however additionally high incentive. That's that I am. There are 2 paireds in regulation football. There is actually the suit on the scoreboard, as well as the 2nd complement is your identification. You can easily drop one, but you'll certainly never lose the second complement." I wish you'll view Salzburg mashing and also chasing after the enemy across the entire pitch, and also coming from all paths. But above all, they're doing it together, permanently." Added coverage: Sanne van Dongen as well as Milan truck Dongen.