.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered two Olympics, a set of Rugby World Cups and also 2 British & Irish Lions tours u2022 Formerly rugby publisher, and also came to be elderly article writer in 2018The wall structures of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand-new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked containers on the flooring consist of minds of his quest coming from mentoring student at PSV to ending up being Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp contacts it. There are framed photos, tee shirts and suit spheres from the several finals he aided the crew reach.But there is actually another keepsake he cherishes most importantly as it summarizes what he's passionate concerning developing youth, and also finding them flourish on football's most significant stage. Beside among the complement spheres from the 2019 Champions League final is a photo from the festivities after Liverpool's triumph. It is a photo of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold mounted it as well as inflicted him when Lijnders left Liverpool alongside Klopp in May. The inscription reads through: "This is my much-loved image of us, as well. Thank you for absolutely every little thing. Without you, none of it was actually possible. Trent." Lijnders has actually received web pages and pages of training sessions dating back twenty years. His journey started in 2002 as young people train at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool positions to come to be an instructor under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, before he determined to wear his own throughout a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen manager in 2018. He went back to Liverpool six months eventually along with great results and, as Klopp said to ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "motivation for the last nine years." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually currently starting an additional journey at FC Salzburg, wanting to carry influences like Johan Cruyff, the dad of Dutch "Total Football," Italian visionary and also a/c Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his personal philosophy as a "counter-pressing beast," as Klopp puts it. However this isn't Liverpool 2.0, as well as he is actually not staying under Klopp's wing.The path coming from aide under a well-known employer to manager in your very own right is a well-trodden one. There are actually results tales: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection work and also has carried out surprisingly effectively in a brief space of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before bursting out on his personal to become one of the most successful managers of perpetuity brand new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca functioned under Guardiola while the terrific Joe Fagan took what he picked up from epic duo Expense Shankly and also Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet at that point there are the red flags too: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United along with Alex Ferguson John Carver succeeded under Robson as well as Alan Pardew at Newcastle yet flopped when he commanded as caretaker in 2015. Thus, it is actually keeping that history of changability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He wants his staff to become known for his plan of footballing "magnitude." Yet he won't be offered very long a moratorium. His staff have actually produced a measured beginning-- winning 8 from 14 activities, yet shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Organization on Tuesday-- and also while it's a group renowned for youth advancement, the followers count on excellence given final period was their very first without cutlery for a years." Our company are actually attempting to develop a staff that can defeat anyone in world volleyball," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts there certainly yet? No, absolutely not. But our team're on training course." Coming From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders helped Jurgen Klopp build one of the very best Liverpool groups in the past history of the nightclub. ( Photo through John Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Lijnders' playing job as a combative midfielder for local area amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German boundary was actually cut short at 17 years of ages due to an ACL accident. He headed to the Central Principle for Sports Innovator Instruction (CIOS) to examine as well as started operating at PSV Eindhoven, getting the only coaching instruction available to students on the training course. As he managed his studies and also his work at PSV, he also took charge of SVEB's gets, where he initially attempted to apply his viewpoint: a mix of "Complete Regulation Football" (a fluid football system encouraging positional interchangeability promoted through Cruyff) and ruthless counter-pressing." I had the sensation players revitalized when I coached, which provides you confidence," he says.The instruction with PSV was implied to be a five-year venture, but he was actually rewarded a permanent agreement after three years, and also devoted the following pair of years flitting between the United States and the Netherlands along with fellow instructor Frans Hoek while developing skills like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He learnt from the fabulous Guus Hiddink when he was PSV coach from 2002 to 2006 and also says to ESPN: "Guus offered colour to Dutch regulation football in the method Ju00fcrgen provided colour to German regulation football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had passion from MTK Budapest, yet occupied an arrangement at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every word. Frade-- marvelled at by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson as well as plenty of others-- was a college teacher who was also assistant supervisor at Porto and also the dad of tactical periodisation (generally making use of instruction as a looking glass for match magnitude and rhythm, as opposed to a separated physical exercise). Lijnders remembers their military advancements at that time as well as burglarize a wide smile, referencing a flying picture he possesses of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's system where he set up only wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. At the moment it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders worked to spearhead Porto's "Project 611," a sunshade phrase for the club's program to re-think the academy's connection along with the first team. "I taught all the teams-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the mid-day, and also U12 as well as U11 in the evening," he states. "At times I would certainly have 40 gamers, however I really did not speak a term of Portuguese." Regardless of that barrier, Porto flourished. The nightclub delivered through abilities like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player that captained Lijnders' youth staffs at Porto, acted as translator, as well as somebody who Lijnders composed that he "loves to little bits" in his 2022 manual "Intensity."" That's why I enjoy football a great deal," Lijnders says. "The relationship you create along with the players. If that relationship isn't there certainly, there is actually no way to excellence." He was seemed out through Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as a feasible add-on to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Man United, yet that collapsed when Ferguson retired in the end of that season. As well as by mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a new obstacle. While studying for his UEFA mentoring badges under the direction of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually looked for a young people train vacancy at Liverpool job, so the club sent out U23 supervisor Michael Beale and institute supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to listen closely to among his presentations. It did the job: "Michael pointed out to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually certainly not soaring back to Porto, you're possessing me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' most important skill-sets was actually nurturing as well as pinpointing institute talent before providing a chance to rise by means of the rankings. ( Picture by Cees vehicle Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Photos) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that evening, was actually installed in a hotel, as well as for three times they chatted. It wound up with Liverpool delivering Lijnders a contract to take charge of the U16 and also U15s: a group that consisted of Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and also, notably, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was advertised to a work with the first team under Rodgers, however when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (president of the club's proprietors Fenway Sports Group) talked to Lijnders to always keep Liverpool's training ground Melwood ticking over while they pursued Klopp. Naturally, when the German consumed there were actually no assurances he was actually going to always keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' team had actually left currently, yet Gordon asked the brand new manager to go on a number of instructors coming from the previous regime. Klopp still had last word, but levelled to the idea.The first was actually John Achtenberg. "Really good, since I failed to have a goalkeeping coach," Klopp bears in mind telling Gordon. He asked his new manager: "What carries out the other fella perform?" Gordon said Lijnders was actually a "technological trainer" a specialist in bridging the gap in between young people and also first string." In Germany, nobody spends for a trainer like that," Klopp says to ESPN. "They will mention, 'You really want a second assistant for what? What are you performing?' Therefore, I ased if the concept a lot." It was actually a high-end to Klopp, yet he still really did not understand a lot about this young Dutch coach. Therefore on his first night at the club, the new-look Liverpool administration encountered for supper in the Chance Road Hotel. Klopp had his depended on team Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz there with him, yet he wanted to be familiar with the new skins. Achtenberg rested away of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually essentially love prima facie," Klopp mentions of Lijnders. "I found his interest for every thing." Klopp likewise observed the amount of Lijnders recognized him. "I do not view myself as a phenomenal trainer," he says. "I know some individuals by chance believe that, as well as you might see it in Pep's eyes. You could possibly find him think, 'I much better pay attention.' That's exactly how it started. Due to the end, our team were actually equal companions." play1:40 Michallik: Port creating Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik points out the biggest favor you can spend Arne Port is that he is actually ceased pundits discussing life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st function under Klopp was actually as elite advancement coach. He adores flipcharts and also each component of his tactical sight was jotted down on these huge papers. Klopp bears in mind those early meetings, as well as how whenever he 'd speak, he will hear Lijnders' pen scribbling away, noting down every little thing he said.At this stage, Klopp contacted Buvac the "mind" and also Krawietz the "eye." Speaking in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp pointed out: "Pep has become incredibly vital in a short time considering that he creates every little thing down. He is actually also part of 'the mind' because he is our thoughts to keep in mind the things what we carried out in previous treatments ... I acquired the Dutch coach who was opposed to possession! Dutch regulation football is actually possession-based: it's Total Football, Cruyff. However he was actually a counter-pressing creature. I liked his enjoyment and the means he leaves the burdened when he talks about football." Among his ultimate additions in that first time period at Liverpool was available in pushing Klopp to give some of the institute players an odds in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold among the initial promoted in 2016 at the age of 18." I can write a publication about the minute he first told me regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp tells ESPN. "We opened the door Trent operated throughout it. His ideal foot is outrageous. The Trent highlights video clip is foolish. You do not need the goals, it is actually the successfully pases, you view the passes and also believe 'Exactly how is that feasible?' It is actually a totally different sporting activity." Lijnders also had a huge effect in bridging the gap between first string and institute. "I picked up from him," Klopp adds. "He opened my mind for various things in football. As most of us age, the range between you and the grow older of the player group grows. My pair of children maintained me in touch keeping that production, but of course, the next generation of world-class trains are actually presently out there. There's constantly modify, progression and remodeling. Pep opened my eyes for those sort of things.Pep Lijnders had a quick assignment at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen before returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Picture through Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders took over a lot more task: planning training and also the schedule around matches. Off the pitch, the 2 regularly participated in padel and became very close friends.Liverpool completed 4th in 2016-17 yet, midway via the following project, Lijnders was actually being seemed out about a head-coach position of his very own back in the Netherlands. Keen to go back to his birthplace to become with his father as he battled cancer cells, the 34-year-old chosen to take the leading project at then-second division side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His goal was actually to protect advertising back to the Eredivisie, but it verified to become a misfortunate spell as well as they lost in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the role, he left behind by shared contract on May 17." I have always taken total task and never ever claimed a poor phrase regarding NEC," Lijnders states. "It is actually a gorgeous nightclub, however often the timing is actually wrong. Often there is actually no click, or even sometimes you participate in a club where you need to have determination. Yet I take obligation. I do not want to point out too much regarding it, due to the fact that whatever I state can stumble upon wrong. I learnt a whole lot to take in to my next job." Back at Anfield, Buvac had moved on in April and Klopp was searching for a new aide. Naturally, he yearned for Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders remained in the yard along with his partner Danielle and mom when his phone sounded. It was Klopp, and also Danielle asked what decision concerned. "He told me our experts are actually visiting control the globe," Lijnders told her.Just 19 days after he left NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant supervisor was announced on June 5." All of us understand there's a popular saying: 'You can discover more from defeats than coming from steady victory,'" Klopp points out. "I'm uncertain it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was a true loss, yet it wasn't properly prepared, I believe our experts can claim that. Our team didn't speak a whole lot regarding it, it was not required. I was actually just happy he came back." A golden returnPep Lijnders as well as Jurgen Klopp position along with the FA Cup and also the Carabao Cup prize during the Liverpool ceremony on Might 29, 2022. ( Image by Jan Kruger/Getty Photos) Over the next couple of years, Klopp as well as Lijnders will accomplish impressive effectiveness with each other at Liverpool. The crowning second was actually the 2019 Champions Game ultimate draw Tottenham Hotspur, however that was actually merely one of an amount of trophies including the 2019-20 Premier League headline, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club World Cup, and also 2022 and 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders was there for all the essential minutes, both well-known and also in the shadows as they outlined their excellence. He was translator on the call when Klopp was actually making an effort to encourage Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the club in January 2022, as well as remembers sitting in Klopp's kitchen area attempting to work out exactly how to convince centre-back Virgil van Dijk to authorize from Southampton in January 2018. However through all the pleasure and troubles, the job took its cost. And just before the 2023-24 season started, Klopp and also Lijnders began to plan for the finishing factor." It was taking place in the [2023] summer, [along with] an extremely difficult year responsible for our team," Lijnders points out of a project where the group finished 5th as well as were actually knocked senseless of the Champions Game in the around of 16. "Our company enjoyed we succeeded the last eight, nine video games of the season, we still went to Europe. We modified the system Trent went more inside [to play as a midfielder]" In the summer months our team presently went over if it was the right time to go, or if it was the correct time to carry on. We pointed out 'yes, our company'll perform another year and also our experts'll find in January.' Yet through November-time, Ju00fcrgen stated: 'I'm done.' And I stated, 'Yes if that holds true, it is actually time for me to go too.' I have actually had several, pleasant deals recently, but I would like to finish the project with him. My link is really sturdy with him: he's a sibling, a daddy, a mentor. Away from my family and also closest friends, he recognizes me far better than any individual." On May 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the ultimate opportunity as they beat Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the sound, soaking in the unfiltered adulation, presenting for plenty of photographs, he located himself back in the insides of Anfield and there was a rare minute of peaceful." Our team 'd possessed Louise Dobson, the crew supervisor, informing our company where to go and also when, and we were actually thus touched [by the parties]," he points out. "In the end, it was actually just Pep and also me. Our team had tears in our eyes. We understood we were honored also since in our service, you can be found in through the frontal door and they drive you out the back entrance. Our team were honored as well as our team might walk out by means of the frontal door. Our experts created a publication together and that was actually the last section. And also our experts enjoyed that as a lot [as we can] due to the fact that you understand it's not for good. That's lifestyle." After an evening partying, as well as, according to Klopp, the Lijnders household dominating the dancing flooring, interest relied on the future. Lijnders had actually already been fielding rate of interest from clubs keen to consult with him concerning anticipated jobs, and also he recognized it was opportunity for his family members to experience something brand-new." You have ten years in Liverpool, in Formby, a tiny community, you possess whatever certainly there, right?" he mentions. "Thus my boys understand nothing at all apart from England, Liverpool and also the club. They think every coliseum feels like Anfield." Lijnders simply talked with clubs that would certainly explore him in person in Formby, and also each time he would certainly try to find certain assurances. However it was actually Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that seduced him. The staff had sustained a tough 2023-24 campaign, which saw then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as succeeded the routine season however ended up second in the Championship Cycle to Sturm Graz to end their first trophyless period in a decade.After a see to Salzburg to visit the club face to face, Lijnders' better half Danielle looked to their youngest child, Romijn, and also talked to: "What perform you consider Salzburg?" Romijn responded to: "I skip it presently." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has actually made Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik go over how Liverpool manager Arne Slot is actually acquiring the most ideal out of his team, in particular Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 win over Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg defeated FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to receive the Champions Category group stage. "We want to be actually the team that can defeat anybody worldwide," Lijnders mentions. "Are our experts there but? No, obviously not ... we have actually only started. However I want the fans to presume, "all right, this is actually the brand-new Salzburg."" Along with his counter-pressing viewpoint profoundly inherent, Lijnders also wants his Salzburg to asphyxiate the opponent. "You can play a leading style of regulation football, where you may possess the ball in the rival's half a great deal," he includes. "Our team are young, our experts are talented, we has plenty of blowing. Our company do not want the opponent to have at any time. There is actually a lot ability here, a lot energy, so much youth. "Our team possess a much smaller squad, 16 or even 17 players, which provides our team space for the institute." Along with a motto of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Regulation football from tomorrow] as well as a background of first-rate players like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and Dayot Upamecano having actually happened by means of the positions, the club's focus is actually very much on young people the earliest players in the squad are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (thirty three) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield players are actually 25. Because Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have already robbed his aged nightclub to authorize midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on funding, while the brand new manager likewise delivered instructors Vitor Matos and also Andreas Kornmayer with him.The wild people coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool coaches still possess their WhatsApp group available it is actually referred to as the "Diamond Canine," motivated through Apple TV series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the conversation is as active as ever before, along with Klopp always keeping a shut eye on how Lijnders is actually faring." Everybody with a little a football eye can easily observe his effect," Klopp states. "I like this wonderful mix of true magnitude, a clear suggestion and also possession. I told him after an activity just recently, you can find this staff has a good instructor. That is actually exactly how I evaluate trains my entire life-- you check out the activities, and then you ponder who trainers them. They play properly. I think it's a great deal for him at Salzburg. It is actually so intelligent coming from him, and it is actually so wise coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization period started with 4 success, a draw and a defeat, but it has actually also seen damaging reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) as well as Brest (4-0) in the Champions Game. He acquired some objection for handling crews against Sparta and Austria Wien with no Austrian players in the lineup, however Lijnders understands there will definitely be times when type drops and stress increases. He will follow his principles which have offered him properly thus far." It is actually dark and also unhappy when you don't win, and also when you enter into such a time period, it may be darker, lonely and annoying," he mentions. "However when you are actually qualifying on the area, helping players boost, I am going to never acquire tired of that. In those moments you have to hang on to what makes you, as a gamer, and also an instructor." Every coach will certainly undergo tough time frames, yet there's absolutely nothing incorrect with that said. I know I enjoy with higher risk, but also high reward. That's who I am actually. There are 2 fits in regulation football. There's the suit on the scoreboard, and also the 2nd fit is your identity. You can drop one, however you'll certainly never shed the second match." I hope you'll observe Salzburg mashing and chasing the challenger around the entire pitch, as well as coming from all paths. Yet most of all, they are actually doing it all together, permanently." Extra reporting: Sanne van Dongen and Milan truck Dongen.