After the surprising news about Jürgen Klopp's departure from Liverpool, it has also become clear that Pepijn Lijnders will focus on something else after this season. This was reported by Liverpool in the statement regarding Klopp's departure.
Assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders has announced he will be leaving his role at Liverpool FC at the end of the current season, signaling a significant shift in his professional coaching career.
This development, outlined in a statement released by the English club, follows closely on the heels of the surprising news about Jürgen Klopp's departure from the team.
Pepijn Lijnders, known for his tactical acumen and coaching prowess, has had a long and varied career in football. He spent several years as a youth coach at PSV Eindhoven, one of the Netherlands' most prestigious football clubs, where he developed a reputation for nurturing young talent. His journey in coaching then took him to FC Porto, a top-tier club in Portugal, further enhancing his experience and expertise in the field.
In 2014, Lijnders made a significant career move by relocating to England to join Liverpool FC as a youth coach. His impact was soon felt within the club's youth ranks, and his progress did not go unnoticed. By the summer of 2015, Lijnders was appointed as the assistant coach of Liverpool's first team, a position he held with distinction for several years. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the club's remarkable successes, including winning the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and securing the coveted Premier League title in 2020. These achievements marked a high point in Lijnders' coaching career, solidifying his status as an elite football tactician.
Despite these successes with Liverpool, Lijnders briefly ventured out on his own in early 2018, taking up the managerial role at NEC Nijmegen, a Dutch football club. This period marked his first major solo managerial experience. Under his guidance, NEC Nijmegen achieved a commendable third-place finish in the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football. However, the team's journey under Lijnders' leadership faced a setback when they were defeated by FC Emmen in the playoffs, a result that ultimately led to his dismissal from the club in May 2018.
Following this brief stint away, Lijnders returned to Liverpool FC, where he rejoined the coaching staff and played a key role in the team's continued success. His return was marked by a renewed vigor and a wealth of experience gained from his time at NEC.
As he prepares to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Lijnders' decision to focus on furthering his own coaching career reflects his ambition and desire to take on new challenges in the world of football. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter at Liverpool, a club where he has left a lasting impact through his tactical insights and his contribution to the team's successes over the years.
