.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered pair of Olympics, a pair of Rugby Planet Cups and also 2 British & Irish Lions trips u2022 Formerly rugby editor, and also came to be elderly author in 2018The wall surfaces of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand-new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked packages on the flooring have memories of his experience coming from training student at PSV to coming to be Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equivalent companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp contacts it. There are actually bordered photographes, tees and match rounds coming from the many finals he aided the crew reach.But there is one other memento he values most of all as it summarizes what he's passionate regarding creating young people, and seeing them prosper on football's biggest stage. Next to among the match rounds coming from the 2019 Champions League last is actually an image from the festivities after Liverpool's victory. It is actually a photo of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold framed it as well as inflicted him when Lijnders left Liverpool in addition to Klopp in May. The subtitle reads through: "This is my favourite photograph people, also. Thank you for definitely every little thing. Without you, none of it was possible. Trent." Lijnders has actually received pages and web pages of training treatments dating back 20 years. His trip began in 2002 as youth coach at PSV, in 2006 he relocated to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he overcame the Liverpool positions to end up being an instructor under Brendan Rodgers and also Klopp, before he made a decision to check out his own in the course of a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He came back to Liverpool 6 months eventually with wonderful results as well as, as Klopp informed ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "ideas for the final nine years." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually now plunging into another trip at FC Salzburg, expecting to funnel effects like Johan Cruyff, the daddy of Dutch "Total Football," Italian speculative as well as AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his own ideology as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp places it. However this isn't Liverpool 2.0, as well as he's certainly not staying under Klopp's wing.The pathway from assistant under a famous supervisor to supervisor in your own right is actually a well-trodden one. There are actually results tales: Mikel Arteta left behind Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection task and also has actually carried out exceptionally effectively in a short room of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona just before bursting out on his very own to become one of the absolute most prosperous supervisors of perpetuity brand-new Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca worked under Guardiola while the terrific Joe Fagan took what he learned from epic duo Expense Shankly as well as Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet after that there are the red flags as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United along with Mam Alex Ferguson John Sculptor succeeded under Robson as well as Alan Pardew at Newcastle but bombed when he commanded as sitter in 2015. Thus, it is actually with that said past history of changability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He wishes his staff to become recognized for his master plan of footballing "intensity." Yet he won't be actually given very long a moratorium. His team have made a measured start-- gaining 8 from 14 activities, yet shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Game on Tuesday-- and while it's a group renowned for young people development, the followers expect excellence offered final time was their first without cutlery for a decade." Our company're making an effort to generate a staff that may defeat anybody in world football," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are we certainly there however? No, not. However our company get on training program." Coming From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp develop some of the greatest Liverpool teams in the past of the nightclub. ( Photo through John Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Lijnders' playing occupation as a quarrelsome midfielder for neighborhood amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German border was shortened at 17 years of ages due to an ACL personal injury. He visited the Central Principle for Athletics Leader Instruction (CIOS) to research and began working at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only mentoring instruction on offer to trainees on the course. As he juggled his research studies as well as his work at PSV, he also took charge of SVEB's reserves, where he initially made an effort to implement his philosophy: a mix of "Overall Football" (a fluid football system stimulating positional interchange championed by Cruyff) and unrelenting counter-pressing." I had the feeling gamers came to life when I trained, which provides you peace of mind," he says.The instruction with PSV was indicated to become a five-year venture, but he was actually awarded a permanent deal after three years, and invested the upcoming two years sweeping in between the USA and also the Netherlands with fellow coach Frans Hoek while developing skills like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He picked up from the legendary Guus Hiddink when he was actually PSV coach from 2002 to 2006 and also tells ESPN: "Guus provided colour to Dutch soccer in the technique Ju00fcrgen provided colour to German football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed enthusiasm from MTK Budapest, however occupied a contract at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every phrase. Frade-- admired through Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and also many others-- was actually an educational institution professor that was likewise assistant supervisor at Porto and the daddy of military periodisation (generally utilizing training as a mirror for match magnitude and rhythm, rather than an isolated workout). Lijnders remembers their planned advancements at that time as well as burglarize a vast smile, referencing a flying photo he has of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's arrangement where he released only wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. During the time it blew his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders worked to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade condition for the club's plan to re-think the academy's partnership along with the first string. "I educated all the groups-- U19 in the early morning, U15 in the mid-day, and U12 as well as U11 in the evening," he states. "In some cases I would certainly possess 40 players, however I didn't talk a phrase of Portuguese." Regardless of that barricade, Porto developed. The club carried via abilities like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer who captained Lijnders' youth staffs at Porto, acted as explainer, as well as someone who Lijnders wrote that he "really loves to little bits" in his 2022 book "Magnitude."" That is actually why I like soccer a lot," Lijnders says. "The connection you forge with the players. If that bond isn't certainly there, there's no chance to success." He was actually seemed out by Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as an achievable addition to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Man United, yet that broke down when Ferguson retired by the end of that period. And through mid-2014, Lijnders awaited a brand-new obstacle. While examining for his UEFA mentoring badges under the advice of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually requested a young people trainer openings at Liverpool job, so the nightclub delivered U23 supervisor Michael Beale as well as academy director Alex Inglethorpe to listen closely to among his discussions. It did the job: "Michael stated to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually not flying back to Porto, you're possessing me to Liverpool.'" Some Of Pep Lijnders' essential skill-sets was actually supporting and determining academy skill prior to providing an odds to increase by means of the rankings. ( Photo by Cees vehicle Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Pictures) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that evening, was actually put up in a hotel, and for 3 days they chatted. It ended up with Liverpool using Lijnders an agreement to take charge of the U16 as well as U15s: a group that featured Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, as well as, particularly, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was advertised to a work with the first team under Rodgers, yet when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the group's managers Fenway Sports Group) talked to Lijnders to always keep Liverpool's training ground Melwood beating over while they worked at Klopp. Obviously, when the German took over there were no warranties he was heading to always keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' staff had left behind currently, but Gordon inquired the new supervisor to keep a number of trains coming from the previous routine. Klopp still possessed last word, yet was open to the idea.The to begin with was John Achtenberg. "Excellent, given that I didn't have a goalkeeping coach," Klopp always remembers informing Gordon. He inquired his new supervisor: "What does the various other guy perform?" Gordon said Lijnders was actually a "technical coach" an expert in bridging the gap between young people and also first string." In Germany, nobody pays for a coach like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They would certainly point out, 'You really want a second assistant of what? What are you carrying out?' Thus, I ased if the suggestion a lot." It was a high-end to Klopp, however he still failed to recognize much regarding this youthful Dutch train. So on his opening night at the club, the new-look Liverpool administration encountered for dinner in the Chance Road Accommodation. Klopp had his trusted workers Zeljko Buvac and also Peter Krawietz certainly there with him, but he desired to learn more about the brand-new faces. Achtenberg sat to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was actually more or less adore prima facie," Klopp mentions of Lijnders. "I viewed his interest for every thing." Klopp likewise saw just how much Lijnders respected him. "I do not see myself as a phenomenal trainer," he mentions. "I understand some people for one reason or another believe that, as well as you could view it in Pep's eyes. You can find him believe, 'I better pay attention.' That's exactly how it started. Due to the end, we were actually equal companions." play1:40 Michallik: Slot making Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik claims the most significant compliment you may pay Arne Slot is actually that he's stopped pundits discussing lifestyle after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st function under Klopp was actually as elite advancement coach. He adores flipcharts and each aspect of his military sight was actually documented on these huge notepads. Klopp always remembers those early meetings, and how whenever he 'd talk, he 'd listen to Lijnders' marker jotting away, writing everything he said.At this phase, Klopp got in touch with Buvac the "human brain" and Krawietz the "eye." Speaking in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp said: "Pep has come to be unbelievably vital in a short time since he composes everything down. He is actually also component of 'the human brain' since he is our thoughts to bear in mind the things what our experts performed in previous treatments ... I obtained the Dutch trainer that was actually opposed to possession! Dutch football is possession-based: it's Total Soccer, Cruyff. However he was actually a counter-pressing creature. I loved his excitement and also the means he leaves the burdened when he discusses soccer." Some of his greatest contributions because initial duration at Liverpool came in nudging Klopp to provide several of the academy players an odds in the first team, with Alexander-Arnold some of the initial advertised in 2016 at the grow older of 18." I could possibly write a manual concerning the minute he first informed me concerning Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp tells ESPN. "Our experts opened the door Trent ran throughout it. His best feet is ludicrous. The Trent highlights video is ridiculous. You do not need to have the targets, it's the successfully pases, you watch the passes as well as assume 'Just how is actually that feasible?' It is actually a totally different sporting activity." Lijnders additionally possessed a large influence in tiding over between first string and institute. "I gained from him," Klopp includes. "He opened my thoughts for various traits in football. As all of us grow older, the span between you as well as the age of the player group gets bigger. My pair of sons kept me in touch with that said generation, yet certainly, the future generation of outstanding trainers are currently available. There's always modify, development and remodeling. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders possessed a brief job at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen just before rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Image by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders said a lot more task: planning instruction and the timetable around fits. Off the pitch, both routinely played padel and also came to be extremely near friends.Liverpool ended up fourth in 2016-17 however, midway by means of the adhering to project, Lijnders was being actually seemed out regarding a head-coach position of his own spine in the Netherlands. Eager to go back to his homeland to be along with his daddy as he fought cancer, the 34-year-old decided to take the top work at then-second branch side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His target was actually to protect advertising back to the Eredivisie, yet it showed to become an ill-fated incantation and also they dropped in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the part, he left behind through shared agreement on Might 17." I have actually constantly taken full obligation as well as certainly never claimed a negative term regarding NEC," Lijnders says. "It's an attractive club, yet sometimes the time is actually not right. Often there is actually no click on, or often you sign up with a nightclub where you need to have persistence. But I take accountability. I don't intend to mention too much regarding it, because every thing I state could possibly encounter inappropriate. I found out a lot to take into my upcoming task." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually moved on in April and also Klopp was seeking a brand new associate. Obviously, he yearned for Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders was in the yard along with his partner Danielle and also mother when his phone sounded. It was actually Klopp, and also Danielle asked what the call had to do with. "He informed me our team're going to overcome the planet," Lijnders told her.Just 19 times after he left NEC, Lijnders' consultation as Klopp's assistant manager was actually declared on June 5." All of us know there is actually a renowned saying: 'You can easily learn more coming from beats than coming from constant success,'" Klopp says. "I'm unsure it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was actually a real defeat, yet it had not been effectively prepared, I presume our team can point out that. Our experts failed to speak a lot concerning it, it was actually not necessary. I was actually simply grateful he came back." A gold returnPep Lijnders and also Jurgen Klopp pose along with the FA Cup and also the Carabao Cup trophy throughout the Liverpool ceremony on Might 29, 2022. ( Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Over the following couple of years, Klopp and also Lijnders would certainly attain outstanding results together at Liverpool. The crowning instant was the 2019 Champions Organization final gain Tottenham Hotspur, but that was actually merely one of a lot of prizes including the 2019-20 Premier Organization headline, 2022 FA Cup, 2019 Group Planet Mug, as well as 2022 and 2024 League Cups.Lijnders was there for all the crucial seconds, both in the public eye and also in the darkness as they plotted their results. He was actually explainer on decision when Klopp was attempting to persuade Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the club in January 2022, and don't forgets partaking Klopp's kitchen area attempting to work out how to persuade centre-back Virgil truck Dijk to authorize coming from Southampton in January 2018. Yet with all the delight and also setbacks, the project took its own toll. And prior to the 2023-24 period began, Klopp and Lijnders started to prepare for the finishing point." It was actually occurring in the [2023] summer months, [along with] a very hard year behind us," Lijnders points out of a project where the group completed 5th and were knocked senseless of the Champions Organization in the sphere of 16. "Our company were happy our company gained the final 8, 9 video games of the season, our experts still visited Europe. Our company changed the unit Trent went a lot more inside [to play as a midfielder]" In the summertime our team currently covered if it was the correct time to go, or if it was actually the correct time to continue. We said 'yes, our team'll carry out another year and also our experts'll view in January.' But by November-time, Ju00fcrgen said: 'I am actually performed.' As well as I pointed out, 'Yes if that's the case, it's time for me to go as well.' I have actually had numerous, wonderful offers in the last few years, however I would like to complete the venture along with him. My relationship is actually really strong along with him: he's a bro, a father, a coach. Beyond my family as well as closest friends, he recognizes me far better than anybody." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the ultimate opportunity as they beat Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the pitch, penetrating the unfiltered worship, posing for countless pictures, he located himself back in the innards of Anfield and also there was a rare moment of quiet." Our company 'd possessed Louise Dobson, the team manager, telling our team where to go as well as when, as well as our experts were therefore touched [due to the festivities]," he claims. "Eventually, it was merely Pep and me. We had splits in our eyes. We knew we were actually honored at the same time given that in our service, you can be found in by means of the frontal door as well as they press you out the back door. We were actually blessed and our company could possibly go out through the frontal door. Our company wrote a manual all together which was the last section. And also our company took pleasure in that as much [as our experts might] because you know it is actually not for life. That's life." After a night partying, and also, according to Klopp, the Lijnders household dominating the dance flooring, interest turned to the future. Lijnders had actually actually been fielding interest from nightclubs keen to talk with him about forthcoming openings, and also he recognized it was opportunity for his family members to experience something brand new." You possess one decade in Liverpool, in Formby, a tiny village, you have every thing there, right?" he states. "Therefore my young boys know nothing other than England, Liverpool and also the club. They believe every arena feels like Anfield." Lijnders merely talked to nightclubs who would explore him face to face in Formby, and each time he 'd look for certain guarantees. However it was Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that attracted him. The group had withstood a challenging 2023-24 initiative, which viewed then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as succeeded the frequent season yet ended up second in the Champion Round to Sturm Graz to end their initial trophyless period in a decade.After a check out to Salzburg to see the nightclub in person, Lijnders' partner Danielle relied on their youngest son, Romijn, and also inquired: "What perform you consider Salzburg?" Romijn answered: "I overlook it currently." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has actually created Luis Du00edaz a much better playerESPN FC's Mark Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik review exactly how Liverpool employer Arne Slot is receiving the most effective away from his squad, particularly Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 draw Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg beat FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to receive the Champions Category group phase. "We want to be actually the group that can easily beat anyone around the world," Lijnders mentions. "Are we certainly there but? No, obviously certainly not ... our team have actually simply begun. However I prefer the fans to presume, "okay, this is actually the brand new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing theory heavily deep-rooted, Lijnders also wishes his Salzburg to drown the adversary. "You may participate in a leading design of regulation football, where you may possess the reception in the opponent's half a great deal," he includes. "Our team are actually younger, our company excel, we has plenty of bravado. We don't want the opponent to possess at any time. There is so much talent listed here, so much energy, so much youth. "Our company have a much smaller team, 16 or even 17 players, and also provides our company room for the academy." With a trademark of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Regulation football coming from tomorrow] and also a past history of unparalleled gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and Dayot Upamecano having actually come with the ranks, the nightclub's emphasis is quite on youth the earliest gamers in the team are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (thirty three) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield gamers are actually 25. Due to the fact that Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have already raided his aged nightclub to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and also Bobby Clark on loan, while the brand new supervisor additionally took coaches Vitor Matos and also Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The wild individuals from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The aged Liverpool instructors still possess their WhatsApp team accessible it is actually knowned as the "Precious stone Dogs," influenced through Apple television program Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the chat is as energetic as ever, with Klopp keeping a shut eye on how Lijnders is faring." Everyone along with a little bit of a football eye may observe his impact," Klopp says. "I adore this great mix of genuine intensity, a clear idea and also property. I told him after a video game just recently, you can observe this crew possesses an excellent coach. That's exactly how I judge trains my whole lifestyle-- you enjoy the games, and after that you question who coaches all of them. They participate in well. I presume it's a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It is actually therefore brilliant coming from him, and it's so intelligent coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's league time started along with four triumphes, a draw as well as a defeat, yet it has actually additionally seen destructive reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and also Brest (4-0) in the Champions League. He received some objection for handling teams against Sparta and Austria Wien with no Austrian gamers in the lineup, yet Lijnders understands there are going to be times when kind plunges as well as stress increases. He will stick to his guidelines which have provided him properly so far." It's dark and alone when you do not gain, and also when you enter into such a time frame, it could be darker, lonesome and awkward," he mentions. "Yet when you're educating on the industry, helping gamers enhance, I will definitely never obtain exhausted of that. In those minutes you have to hang on to what makes you, as a gamer, and a coach." Every instructor is going to experience difficult periods, however there is actually nothing at all incorrect with that. I know I enjoy with higher risk, but also higher incentive. That's that I am actually. There are pair of suits in football. There is actually the match on the scoreboard, and also the 2nd fit is your identity. You can shed one, but you'll certainly never drop the 2nd complement." I hope you'll observe Salzburg pushing and also chasing the opponent all over the entire sound, and coming from all directions. Yet most importantly, they're performing it all together, for life." Added reporting: Sanne van Dongen and Milan truck Dongen.