.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with pair of Olympics, a set of Rugby Globe Cups and also two British & Irish Lions tours u2022 Formerly rugby editor, and ended up being elderly writer in 2018The wall surfaces of Pep Lijnders' garage in his new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked containers on the flooring have memories of his quest coming from mentoring pupil at PSV to becoming Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal partner" at Liverpool, as Klopp calls it. There are bordered photos, tshirts as well as match rounds from the numerous finals he helped the team reach.But there is actually another memento he cherishes most of all as it sums up what he's zealous concerning developing young people, and also observing them prosper on soccer's greatest phase. Next to one of the match rounds coming from the 2019 Champions Game ultimate is actually an image from the festivities after Liverpool's victory. It is an image of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold framed it and inflicted him when Lijnders quit Liverpool alongside Klopp in May. The caption reviews: "This is my preferred photograph people, too. Thanks for definitely EVERYTHING. Without you, none of it was possible. Trent." Lijnders has actually obtained pages and also webpages of instruction sessions dating back two decades. His adventure began in 2002 as young people instructor at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool places to become a coach under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, prior to he determined to try his personal throughout a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen manager in 2018. He came back to Liverpool six months later along with fantastic effectiveness as well as, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "inspiration for the last nine years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually right now starting yet another adventure at FC Salzburg, intending to carry impacts like Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch "Complete Regulation Football," Italian visionary and also hvac Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his very own viewpoint as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and he is actually certainly not residing under Klopp's wing.The road from associate under a famous manager to supervisor in your personal right is a well-trodden one. There are actually excellence stories: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection work and also has actually performed exceptionally properly in a brief space of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was actually assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona just before bursting out on his very own to become one of one of the most successful managers of perpetuity brand-new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca operated under Guardiola while the wonderful Joe Fagan took what he gained from legendary duo Bill Shankly and also Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. But at that point there are the red flags as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after seven trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Mam Alex Ferguson John Sculptor succeeded under Robson and Alan Pardew at Newcastle however bombed when he took charge as sitter in 2015. So, it is actually with that past of unpredictability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He wants his team to be understood for his plan of footballing "magnitude." However he won't be given too long a moratorium. His team have actually produced a determined start-- gaining 8 coming from 14 video games, but shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Organization on Tuesday-- and also while it is actually a group renowned for youth progression, the fans count on effectiveness given last period was their first without cutlery for a many years." We're attempting to make a crew that may defeat any person in world volleyball," Lijnders informed ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts there however? No, not. However our company get on program." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp create one of the best Liverpool teams in the history of the club. ( Picture by John Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Lijnders' playing profession as a contentious midfielder for regional amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German border was actually stopped at 17 years of ages due to an ACL personal injury. He visited the Central Institute for Sports Leader Training (CIOS) to research and also began working at PSV Eindhoven, getting the only training apprenticeship on offer to students on the course. As he handled his studies and his work at PSV, he likewise took charge of SVEB's reserves, where he first attempted to apply his theory: a mix of "Complete Football" (a fluid soccer system stimulating positional interchange championed by Cruyff) and ruthless counter-pressing." I possessed the emotion players revitalized when I trained, which provides you confidence," he says.The apprenticeship along with PSV was actually suggested to become a five-year venture, however he was rewarded a full time deal after three years, as well as invested the upcoming pair of years sweeping between the USA as well as the Netherlands along with fellow instructor Frans Hoek while establishing abilities like Cody Gakpo as well as Jordan Teze. He picked up from the legendary Guus Hiddink when he was PSV coach from 2002 to 2006 as well as tells ESPN: "Guus provided colour to Dutch regulation football in the technique Ju00fcrgen offered colour to German regulation football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed rate of interest from MTK Budapest, yet occupied a contract at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every word. Frade-- marvelled at by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and also numerous others-- was actually an university teacher who was actually also assistant manager at Porto and the dad of tactical periodisation (generally utilizing instruction as a looking glass for match magnitude and rhythm, instead of a separated workout). Lijnders remembers their planned technologies back then and also get into a large smile, referencing a flying photo he possesses of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's configuration where he deployed only wingers on the flanks and also no full-backs. During the time it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders operated to spearhead Porto's "Task 611," a sunshade term for the club's program to re-think the academy's relationship with the first team. "I taught all the crews-- U19 in the early morning, U15 in the afternoon, and also U12 and U11 in the evening," he states. "In some cases I would certainly have 40 players, yet I failed to speak a phrase of Portuguese." Despite that barricade, Porto grew. The club carried via abilities like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was actually also midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer who captained Lijnders' young people crews at Porto, served as translator, and an individual that Lijnders composed that he "enjoys to bits" in his 2022 publication "Magnitude."" That's why I enjoy football a lot," Lijnders claims. "The relationship you build with the gamers. If that connection isn't there, there's no chance to effectiveness." He was actually appeared out through Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as a possible enhancement to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Man United, however that collapsed when Ferguson resigned by the end of that time. As well as through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a brand new obstacle. While studying for his UEFA training symbols under the advice of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had applied for a young people trainer job at Liverpool project, so the club sent out U23 manager Michael Beale and also school director Alex Inglethorpe to listen closely to among his presentations. It did the job: "Michael pointed out to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually not soaring back to Porto, you are actually possessing me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' essential skill-sets was actually nurturing and also recognizing academy ability just before giving them an opportunity to increase via the ranks. ( Image through Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Graphics) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that evening, was actually installed in a resort, as well as for three times they talked. It wound up with Liverpool delivering Lijnders an arrangement to organize the U16 and also U15s: a group that featured Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and, especially, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summer season Lijnders was actually ensured to a project along with the first string under Rodgers, yet when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the group's owners Fenway Athletics Team) talked to Lijnders to keep Liverpool's training ground Melwood beating over while they engaged in Klopp. Obviously, when the German consumed there were actually no promises he was visiting maintain Lijnders. Numerous of Rodgers' staff had actually left presently, but Gordon asked the brand new manager to go on a couple of trainers from the previous regimen. Klopp still had veto power, yet levelled to the idea.The to begin with was John Achtenberg. "Good, considering that I failed to have a goalkeeping coach," Klopp bears in mind saying to Gordon. He inquired his brand-new employer: "What performs the other individual do?" Gordon pointed out Lijnders was a "specialized trainer" a professional in tiding over in between young people and first string." In Germany, nobody purchases a train like that," Klopp informs ESPN. "They will claim, 'You really want a 2nd assistant for what? What are you doing?' Therefore, I liked the idea a whole lot." It was a luxurious to Klopp, but he still didn't understand a lot about this young Dutch train. Therefore on his opening night at the club, the new-look Liverpool administration got to know for supper in the Hope Road Resort. Klopp had his depended on workers Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz certainly there along with him, however he would like to understand the brand new skins. Achtenberg sat to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was actually basically like prima facie," Klopp claims of Lijnders. "I viewed his enthusiasm for whatever." Klopp also found how much Lijnders recognized him. "I do not observe myself as a phenomenal coach," he points out. "I recognize some folks by chance presume that, and you could view it in Pep's eyes. You can see him think, 'I much better listen.' That's just how it began. By the end, our experts were identical partners." play1:40 Michallik: Slot creating Liverpool's post-Klopp transition painlessJanusz Michallik claims the most significant praise you may pay for Arne Slot is actually that he's ceased pundits speaking about life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st role under Klopp was actually as best progression trainer. He enjoys flipcharts and also each aspect of his planned vision was actually listed on these extensive pieces of paper. Klopp always remembers those early appointments, as well as exactly how whenever he 'd talk, he 'd hear Lijnders' pen scribbling away, writing whatever he said.At this stage, Klopp got in touch with Buvac the "mind" as well as Krawietz the "eye." Talking in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp stated: "Pep has actually ended up being unbelievably significant quickly due to the fact that he composes every thing down. He is also aspect of 'the human brain' because he is our thoughts to keep in mind things what our company performed in previous treatments ... I acquired the Dutch trainer that was opposed to ownership! Dutch football is actually possession-based: it's Total Football, Cruyff. However he was a counter-pressing monster. I liked his enthusiasm and the technique he leaves the burdened when he discusses soccer." One of his biggest additions because first duration at Liverpool was available in pushing Klopp to provide a few of the institute gamers an opportunity in the first string, with Alexander-Arnold one of the initial ensured in 2016 at the age of 18." I can create a publication about the minute he first told me regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp informs ESPN. "We opened the door Trent managed right through it. His best foot is foolish. The Trent highlights video is actually outrageous. You do not need the objectives, it's the successfully pases, you enjoy the elapseds and assume 'Exactly how is actually that possible?' It's an entirely various sport." Lijnders likewise had a big impact in bridging the gap in between first string and institute. "I gained from him," Klopp adds. "He opened my mind for different points in football. As most of us grow older, the range between you and the grow older of the gamer group grows. My pair of boys maintained me in contact with that generation, but naturally, the next generation of first-rate trainers are actually out there. There is actually constantly alter, advancement and remodeling. Pep opened my eyes for those kinds of things.Pep Lijnders had a brief stint at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen just before returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Image through Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders said much more obligation: planning instruction and the timetable around complements. Off the sound, the 2 on a regular basis played padel and also came to be surprisingly close friends.Liverpool ended up fourth in 2016-17 however, midway with the complying with campaign, Lijnders was being seemed out regarding a head-coach posture of his own back in the Netherlands. Keen to come back to his birthplace to be along with his daddy as he combated cancer cells, the 34-year-old decided to take the best project at then-second division edge NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His goal was to get promo back to the Eredivisie, but it verified to be a misfortunate incantation and they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over five months in the part, he left behind through common contract on May 17." I have constantly taken total obligation as well as never mentioned a bad term regarding NEC," Lijnders states. "It's a gorgeous club, yet often the time is actually not right. Often there is no click, or even in some cases you join a club where you require determination. Yet I take duty. I do not desire to claim excessive regarding it, due to the fact that whatever I mention might discover incorrect. I found out a great deal to take into my next project." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually gone on in April and also Klopp was actually seeking a brand-new assistant. Naturally, he wanted Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders was in the yard along with his wife Danielle as well as mommy when his phone rang. It was actually Klopp, as well as Danielle asked what decision concerned. "He informed me we are actually visiting dominate the planet," Lijnders said to her.Just 19 days after he left NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant manager was revealed on June 5." We all understand there is actually a popular saying: 'You can easily find out more from defeats than from steady triumph,'" Klopp points out. "I am actually not exactly sure it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was an actual loss, but it had not been well ready, I assume our company may say that. Our experts failed to speak a whole lot concerning it, it was certainly not important. I was actually just happy he came back." A golden returnPep Lijnders as well as Jurgen Klopp position along with the FA Mug and also the Carabao Mug trophy in the course of the Liverpool procession on May 29, 2022. ( Image through Jan Kruger/Getty Graphics) Over the following few years, Klopp and also Lijnders will attain exceptional success together at Liverpool. The glorious moment was actually the 2019 Champions League last get Tottenham Hotspur, but that was only some of an amount of trophies consisting of the 2019-20 Premier League title, 2022 FA Cup, 2019 Group Globe Mug, and 2022 and 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders was there for all the essential instants, both well-known as well as in the shadows as they sketched their results. He was linguist on decision when Klopp was actually attempting to persuade Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the club in January 2022, and don't forgets partaking Klopp's home kitchen attempting to work out exactly how to persuade centre-back Virgil van Dijk to sign coming from Southampton in January 2018. However by means of all the joy as well as troubles, the project took its own cost. And just before the 2023-24 period began, Klopp and also Lijnders started to think about the finishing factor." It was actually happening in the [2023] summertime, [with] a quite difficult year responsible for us," Lijnders points out of a campaign where the group ended up 5th as well as were actually knocked out of the Champions League in the around of 16. "Our team enjoyed our company succeeded the final 8, nine games of the season, we still mosted likely to Europe. We modified the body Trent went a lot more inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summertime our experts actually reviewed if it was actually the correct time to go, or even if it was actually the right time to continue. Our experts mentioned 'yes, our company'll perform one more year and our experts'll observe in January.' Yet through November-time, Ju00fcrgen stated: 'I am actually done.' As well as I claimed, 'Yes if that's the case, it is actually time for me to go as well.' I've possessed a number of, nice promotions in recent times, yet I wished to finish the task with him. My relationship is actually extremely solid along with him: he is actually a bro, a father, an advisor. Outside of my household and also closest buddies, he understands me better than anybody." On May 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the ultimate time as they trump Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the pitch, penetrating the unfiltered adulation, posing for countless pictures, he discovered himself back in the abdomens of Anfield and there was actually an unusual second of quiet." Our team would certainly possessed Louise Dobson, the staff manager, telling our team where to go and when, and also our experts were actually therefore touched [by the celebrations]," he says. "In the long run, it was merely Pep and also me. Our company possessed tears in our eyes. We understood we were honored also due to the fact that in our company, you can be found in by means of the main door as well as they drive you out the back entrance. Our team were actually honored and also our team could head out via the main door. We composed a book together which was actually the last phase. As well as our experts enjoyed that as a lot [as our team might] since you know it is actually certainly not permanently. That is actually life." After an evening partying, and also, according to Klopp, the Lijnders household dominating the dance floor, focus relied on the future. Lijnders had actually been fielding passion from clubs keen to consult with him regarding forthcoming vacancies, and also he recognized it was time for his family members to experience one thing new." You have ten years in Liverpool, in Formby, a small village, you possess every little thing there certainly, right?" he says. "So my children understand nothing at all besides England, Liverpool and also the nightclub. They presume every coliseum is like Anfield." Lijnders only spoke to clubs that will see him face to face in Formby, and each time he 'd try to find certain warranties. However it was actually Austrian Bundesliga side FC Salzburg that attracted him. The crew possessed survived a difficult 2023-24 project, which saw then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as won the regular season however completed second in the Champion Round to Sturm Graz to finish their very first trophyless time in a decade.After a visit to Salzburg to go to the club in person, Lijnders' other half Danielle relied on their youngest son, Romijn, as well as asked: "What do you think of Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I overlook it presently." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has actually created Luis Du00edaz a much better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik go over exactly how Liverpool employer Arne Port is obtaining the best out of his squad, in particular Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 gain Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg defeated FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to apply for the Champions Rank group phase. "Our company intend to be actually the team that can easily beat any person on earth," Lijnders points out. "Are we certainly there yet? No, of course certainly not ... we've just started. However I prefer the fans to think, "ok, this is the brand new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing viewpoint profoundly deep-rooted, Lijnders likewise prefers his Salzburg to stifle the opponent. "You can easily participate in a dominant design of football, where you may have the ball in the opponent's half a whole lot," he incorporates. "Our team are actually youthful, our team are talented, our company teem with bravado. Our experts don't wish the enemy to have any time. There is so much skill listed here, a lot energy, so much young people. "Our company possess a smaller team, 16 or 17 gamers, and that gives our team area for the institute." Along with a motto of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Regulation football coming from tomorrow] and also a record of world-class gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and Dayot Upamecano having actually come with the rankings, the club's focus is actually quite on youth the oldest players in the squad are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the earliest outfield players are 25. Since Lijnders joined, Salzburg have actually currently invaded his aged club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on loan, while the new supervisor additionally took trainers Vitor Matos and also Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The wild fellas from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Upward Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The aged Liverpool coaches still have their WhatsApp group accessible it's called the "Gemstone Dogs," encouraged by Apple TV series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the conversation is actually as active as ever, along with Klopp always keeping a near eye on exactly how Lijnders is making out." Everyone with a little bit of a football eye can observe his effect," Klopp mentions. "I adore this pleasant mix of real strength, a crystal clear idea as well as things. I informed him after a game lately, you can find this staff possesses a good instructor. That is actually just how I judge trains my entire lifestyle-- you view the activities, and then you wonder who trainers all of them. They play well. I think it's a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It's therefore smart coming from him, and also it is actually thus smart from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization time began along with four wins, a draw and a defeat, however it has actually likewise found detrimental reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) as well as Brest (4-0) in the Champions League. He acquired some criticism for fielding staffs versus Sparta and Austria Wien with no Austrian players in the lineup, but Lijnders knows there will certainly be opportunities when type slumps as well as stress boosts. He will definitely stay with his guidelines which have provided him well thus far." It's black and also alone when you don't succeed, as well as when you enter into such a time period, it can be dark, lonely and also annoying," he says. "But when you're teaching on the area, aiding gamers enhance, I will certainly never get exhausted of that. In those instants you need to hold on to what creates you, as a gamer, and also a coach." Every coach will definitely undergo difficult periods, however there's absolutely nothing inappropriate with that said. I recognize I have fun with higher risk, however likewise high benefit. That's who I am. There are pair of paireds in football. There's the complement on the scoreboard, and the 2nd complement is your identification. You may lose one, yet you'll certainly never drop the second fit." I hope you'll find Salzburg pushing and going after the enemy throughout the entire pitch, and also from all directions. Yet above all, they're doing it with each other, for good." Additional coverage: Sanne vehicle Dongen and also Milan van Dongen.