.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Signed up with ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with pair of Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and also 2 British & Irish Lions trips u2022 Previously rugby publisher, and also ended up being elderly article writer in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand-new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked containers on the flooring include memories of his trip coming from coaching pupil at PSV to ending up being Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal partner" at Liverpool, as Klopp phones it. There are actually bordered photos, tee shirts and also match spheres from the several finals he aided the team reach.But there is another memento he treasures most of all as it sums up what he is actually enthusiastic about cultivating young people, as well as observing all of them prosper on football's greatest phase. Alongside among the complement balls from the 2019 Champions Game last is an image coming from the celebrations after Liverpool's triumph. It is actually a photo of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold framed it and gave it to him when Lijnders left Liverpool together with Klopp in May. The inscription checks out: "This is my preferred photograph people, also. Thank you for definitely whatever. Without you, none of it was actually possible. Trent." Lijnders has actually obtained pages and pages of instruction sessions going back twenty years. His adventure began in 2002 as young people train at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he overcame the Liverpool rates to come to be a trainer under Brendan Rodgers as well as Klopp, prior to he decided to wear his very own during the course of a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He came back to Liverpool 6 months later along with wonderful effectiveness and also, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "ideas for the final 9 years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is now starting an additional trip at FC Salzburg, intending to channel effects like Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch "Total Football," Italian visionary and also AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his own approach as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp puts it. However this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and he is actually not residing under Klopp's wing.The course coming from associate under a well-known boss to manager in your very own right is actually a well-trodden one. There are actually effectiveness stories: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection job as well as has actually performed incredibly properly in a brief area of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona prior to bursting out on his personal to become one of one of the most productive supervisors of all time new Chelsea employer Enzo Maresca operated under Guardiola while the fantastic Joe Fagan took what he profited from epic duo Costs Shankly as well as Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet at that point there are the cautionary tales as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after seven trophy-laden years at Manchester United along with Sir Alex Ferguson John Carver succeeded under Robson as well as Alan Pardew at Newcastle yet flopped when he took charge as caretaker in 2015. Therefore, it's with that background of changability that Lijnders is going it alone at Salzburg. He prefers his group to become known for his blueprint of footballing "magnitude." However he won't be actually provided too long a grace period. His team have produced an evaluated beginning-- gaining eight from 14 activities, yet shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Organization on Tuesday-- and also while it's a team renowned for young people development, the fans expect results given final time was their very first without silverware for a decade." Our team're making an effort to make a group that can easily trump anybody in globe volleyball," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are our team there yet? No, not. But we get on training program." Coming From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders aided Jurgen Klopp construct among the most effective Liverpool crews in the record of the nightclub. ( Photograph through John Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Lijnders' playing job as a contentious midfielder for regional amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German boundary was halted at 17 years old because of an ACL accident. He mosted likely to the Central Institute for Athletics Leader Training (CIOS) to research as well as started working at PSV Eindhoven, getting the only coaching apprenticeship on offer to pupils on the program. As he managed his studies as well as his work at PSV, he also organized SVEB's reserves, where he first tried to implement his theory: a mix of "Overall Football" (a fluid soccer device promoting positional interchange promoted by Cruyff) and also ruthless counter-pressing." I had the feeling gamers came to life when I trained, which provides you assurance," he says.The instruction with PSV was actually meant to be a five-year venture, yet he was granted a full-time deal after 3 years, and spent the upcoming two years sweeping between the USA and the Netherlands with fellow instructor Frans Hoek while developing skills like Cody Gakpo as well as Jordan Teze. He learnt from the epic Guus Hiddink when he was actually PSV train coming from 2002 to 2006 and also informs ESPN: "Guus provided colour to Dutch regulation football in the way Ju00fcrgen provided colour to German regulation football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had passion coming from MTK Budapest, but used up a contract at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- admired through Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and also countless others-- was actually a college instructor who was actually likewise assistant supervisor at Porto and also the father of military periodisation (generally making use of training as a mirror for suit magnitude and rhythm, as opposed to a segregated physical exercise). Lijnders remembers their tactical innovations at the time and get into a vast smile, referencing an airborne photo he has of one Co Adriaanse's system where he deployed exclusively wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. Back then it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders operated to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade term for the club's plan to re-think the institute's connection along with the first string. "I qualified all the crews-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the afternoon, as well as U12 and U11 in the evening," he mentions. "Occasionally I would certainly have 40 players, however I failed to communicate a term of Portuguese." In spite of that obstacle, Porto thrived. The club brought via talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and also Diogo Dalot. There was actually additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player that captained Lijnders' youth staffs at Porto, acted as translator, and a person that Lijnders wrote that he "likes to little bits" in his 2022 manual "Strength."" That is actually why I adore football a great deal," Lijnders states. "The relationship you create along with the players. If that bond isn't certainly there, there is actually no way to success." He was appeared out through Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as a feasible addition to Ferguson's backroom workers at Guy United, but that fell down when Ferguson retired by the end of that season. As well as through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a new difficulty. While examining for his UEFA training badges under the guidance of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had looked for a youth trainer job at Liverpool job, so the club delivered U23 supervisor Michael Beale and also institute supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to listen to among his presentations. It got the job done: "Michael pointed out to me, 'Pepijn, you're not soaring back to Porto, you're possessing me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' most important skill-sets was actually supporting and also recognizing institute talent prior to providing an opportunity to increase with the rankings. ( Photograph through Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Images) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that night, was set up in a hotel, and for 3 times they talked. It ended up with Liverpool offering Lijnders a contract to organize the U16 and also U15s: a group that featured Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and, significantly, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summer months Lijnders was actually marketed to a task with the first string under Rodgers, but when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the club's managers Fenway Sports Team) inquired Lijnders to maintain Liverpool's training school Melwood ticking over while they engaged in Klopp. Naturally, when the German took control of there were actually no promises he was mosting likely to always keep Lijnders. Several of Rodgers' staff had actually left already, however Gordon asked the new supervisor to go on a couple of trains from the previous regime. Klopp still possessed last word, however levelled to the idea.The initially was John Achtenberg. "Excellent, because I really did not possess a goalkeeping train," Klopp bears in mind telling Gordon. He asked his brand new manager: "What carries out the other guy do?" Gordon pointed out Lijnders was actually a "technical instructor" an expert in tiding over between young people as well as first team." In Germany, no one spends for an instructor like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They would certainly state, 'You prefer a second aide wherefore? What are you carrying out?' Therefore, I suched as the suggestion a whole lot." It was a luxury to Klopp, however he still failed to know a lot regarding this youthful Dutch instructor. Therefore on his opening night at the club, the new-look Liverpool monitoring met for supper in the Chance Road Resort. Klopp had his depended on personnel Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz certainly there along with him, yet he wished to learn more about the brand-new skins. Achtenberg rested to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was actually basically enjoy prima facie," Klopp says of Lijnders. "I viewed his interest for everything." Klopp also observed just how much Lijnders valued him. "I do not see on my own as an awesome instructor," he states. "I recognize some people by chance believe that, and you might view it in Pep's eyes. You could observe him believe, 'I much better listen.' That's exactly how it started. Due to the end, our company were actually identical partners." play1:40 Michallik: Slot making Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik points out the greatest praise you can spend Arne Port is that he's stopped experts talking about lifestyle after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st job under Klopp was as elite growth train. He adores flipcharts as well as each aspect of his military eyesight was actually listed on these vast papers. Klopp remembers those early appointments, and also just how whenever he would certainly talk, he will hear Lijnders' pen jotting away, taking down whatever he said.At this stage, Klopp phoned Buvac the "brain" as well as Krawietz the "eye." Talking in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp stated: "Pep has actually become unbelievably necessary in a short time due to the fact that he writes everything down. He is additionally part of 'the human brain' since he is our mind to bear in mind things what we did in previous sessions ... I received the Dutch trainer that was actually opposed to ownership! Dutch football is actually possession-based: it is actually Complete Football, Cruyff. Yet he was a counter-pressing beast. I enjoyed his excitement as well as the means he leaves the seat when he refers to football." Among his greatest contributions during that initial time period at Liverpool can be found in nudging Klopp to offer several of the institute gamers a chance in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold one of the very first promoted in 2016 at the grow older of 18." I might write a book concerning the instant he initially told me regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp says to ESPN. "Our company unlocked Trent operated throughout it. His correct feet is outrageous. The Trent highlights video is ludicrous. You don't need to have the objectives, it is actually the passes, you enjoy the passes and assume 'How is that achievable?' It is actually a totally different sporting activity." Lijnders also had a big impact in bridging the gap in between first string and institute. "I profited from him," Klopp adds. "He opened my thoughts for different traits in regulation football. As most of us get older, the range between you and the age of the player group gets bigger. My pair of boys maintained me in touch keeping that production, but certainly, the next generation of outstanding trains are actually presently around. There's regularly modify, development as well as improvement. Pep opened my eyes for those kinds of things.Pep Lijnders had a quick job at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen just before returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Picture through Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC using Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders assumed even more duty: organizing training and the schedule around matches. Off the pitch, the two routinely participated in padel as well as became astonishingly near friends.Liverpool ended up fourth in 2016-17 yet, midway with the following initiative, Lijnders was actually being actually appeared out regarding a head-coach posture of his personal spine in the Netherlands. Keen to come back to his birthplace to be along with his dad as he combated cancer, the 34-year-old determined to take the top project at then-second department side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His objective was actually to safeguard advertising back to the Eredivisie, however it showed to become an ill-fated incantation and they lost in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over five months in the part, he left behind by shared arrangement on May 17." I have actually always taken total accountability and never ever claimed a bad phrase concerning NEC," Lijnders says. "It is actually a lovely nightclub, however in some cases the timing is wrong. Often there is actually no click, or even often you join a club where you need perseverance. But I take obligation. I don't would like to point out way too much concerning it, because whatever I state might come upon wrong. I learnt a great deal to take right into my following project." Back at Anfield, Buvac had gone on in April and Klopp was actually looking for a brand-new assistant. Certainly, he wished Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders was in the landscape with his other half Danielle and also mommy when his phone called. It was actually Klopp, and Danielle asked what the call concerned. "He informed me we are actually visiting overcome the planet," Lijnders told her.Just 19 days after he left NEC, Lijnders' session as Klopp's assistant supervisor was declared on June 5." We all know there is actually a widely known phrase: 'You can easily discover more coming from beats than coming from constant triumph,'" Klopp claims. "I am actually uncertain it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was actually a real defeat, but it wasn't properly equipped, I think we can easily point out that. Our team didn't communicate a whole lot about it, it was actually certainly not needed. I was actually merely delighted he came back." A gold returnPep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp posture along with the FA Cup and the Carabao Mug prize in the course of the Liverpool ceremony on Might 29, 2022. ( Picture by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Over the following couple of years, Klopp and also Lijnders would attain amazing results together at Liverpool. The crowning moment was actually the 2019 Champions Game ultimate gain Tottenham Hotspur, however that was just one of a lot of prizes including the 2019-20 Premier Organization label, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club Globe Cup, as well as 2022 and 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders was there for all the essential instants, both well-known and in the shades as they plotted their excellence. He was actually explainer on decision when Klopp was making an effort to convince Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the club in January 2022, and always remembers partaking Klopp's kitchen area trying to work out exactly how to convince centre-back Virgil vehicle Dijk to authorize from Southampton in January 2018. Yet via all the pleasure and also obstacles, the project took its cost. And prior to the 2023-24 time began, Klopp as well as Lijnders began to prepare for the finishing point." It was taking place in the [2023] summer months, [along with] a very complicated year responsible for our company," Lijnders says of a campaign where the club completed 5th as well as were knocked senseless of the Champions League in the sphere of 16. "We mored than happy our company succeeded the last eight, nine video games of the season, our team still went to Europe. Our experts altered the body Trent went a lot more inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer season our team actually explained if it was actually the correct time to go, or even if it was actually the right time to carry on. We mentioned 'yes, our company'll perform another year and our company'll observe in January.' But through November-time, Ju00fcrgen said: 'I'm done.' As well as I said, 'Yes if that's the case, it is actually time for me to go also.' I've possessed numerous, wonderful promotions over the last few years, however I would like to end up the job with him. My hookup is actually very strong along with him: he's a sibling, a daddy, a coach. Beyond my household as well as closest friends, he understands me better than anyone." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the last time as they trump Wolves 2-0. After being out on the sound, penetrating the unfiltered adulation, positioning for plenty of pictures, he discovered themself back in the bowels of Anfield and also there was actually an unusual second of silent." Our company will had Louise Dobson, the group supervisor, informing our team where to go and also when, as well as our company were thus touched [by the celebrations]," he states. "In the long run, it was only Pep and me. We had rips in our eyes. We understood we were blessed too because in our business, you are available in with the front door and also they push you out the back entrance. Our company were honored and also our company might head out by means of the front door. Our experts created a publication together and that was the last phase. And also we took pleasure in that as a lot [as we could] given that you know it is actually not permanently. That is actually life." After an evening partying, as well as, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family dominating the dancing floor, focus relied on the future. Lijnders had currently been actually handling interest from nightclubs keen to speak with him regarding honest opportunities, as well as he knew it was time for his loved ones to experience one thing brand new." You possess ten years in Liverpool, in Formby, a tiny village, you possess every thing certainly there, right?" he mentions. "Thus my young boys recognize nothing at all besides England, Liverpool and also the club. They believe every arena feels like Anfield." Lijnders simply spoke with nightclubs who would visit him in person in Formby, as well as each opportunity he would certainly search for particular guarantees. Yet it was Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that seduced him. The team had survived a tough 2023-24 project, which observed then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and won the frequent season yet ended up second in the Champion Round to Sturm Graz to end their initial trophyless season in a decade.After a browse through to Salzburg to explore the club in person, Lijnders' better half Danielle relied on their youngest boy, Romijn, and talked to: "What perform you think of Salzburg?" Romijn responded to: "I overlook it actually." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has made Luis Du00edaz a far better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson and Janusz Michallik review just how Liverpool employer Arne Slot is actually getting the most effective out of his squad, specifically Luis Du00edaz, following their 3-0 draw Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg trumped FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to receive the Champions Rank team stage. "Our experts desire to be actually the staff that can easily trump anyone on earth," Lijnders states. "Are our team there yet? No, of course not ... our team've merely begun. However I really want the supporters to assume, "alright, this is the brand new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing philosophy greatly inherent, Lijnders additionally desires his Salzburg to asphyxiate the opposition. "You can easily play a prevalent design of regulation football, where you may possess the reception in the rival's half a whole lot," he includes. "Our company are younger, our company are talented, we teem with bravado. Our team don't desire the enemy to have any time. There is so much skill listed here, a great deal energy, a great deal youth. "Our company have a smaller squad, 16 or even 17 gamers, and that provides our team space for the academy." Along with a motto of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Soccer from tomorrow] and also a past of first-rate gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and also Dayot Upamecano having actually happened by means of the ranks, the club's focus is quite on youth the earliest gamers in the squad are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) and also Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield gamers are 25. Considering that Lijnders participated in, Salzburg have actually presently plundered his aged nightclub to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic as well as Bobby Clark on car loan, while the brand-new manager additionally brought coaches Vitor Matos and also Andreas Kornmayer with him.The wild guys coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The aged Liverpool trainers still possess their WhatsApp group open it is actually called the "Precious stone Dogs," encouraged through Apple television program Ted Lasso. When Salzburg stage show, the conversation is actually as active as ever, with Klopp always keeping a shut eye on exactly how Lijnders is actually making out." Everyone with a little a football eye may see his influence," Klopp points out. "I like this nice mix of actual intensity, a very clear tip and property. I informed him after a video game lately, you can see this crew has a good train. That's just how I determine trainers my whole lifestyle-- you watch the video games, and afterwards you wonder who instructors all of them. They participate in properly. I presume it is actually a great deal for him at Salzburg. It's so wise coming from him, and it is actually so intelligent coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization season started along with 4 success, a draw and also a defeat, yet it has actually also found damaging losses to Sparta Prague (3-0) as well as Brest (4-0) in the Champions Organization. He got some unfavorable judgment for picking up crews against Sparta as well as Austria Wien without any Austrian players in the sequence, yet Lijnders recognizes there will certainly be actually opportunities when kind sags and stress increases. He will stay with his principles which have provided him effectively up until now." It is actually black and unhappy when you do not gain, as well as when you enter into such a time frame, it could be black, unhappy and annoying," he mentions. "Yet when you are actually teaching on the area, assisting players improve, I will definitely never obtain tired of that. In those instants you have to hang on to what creates you, as a player, and also an instructor." Every trainer will certainly go through hard time periods, yet there is actually nothing at all wrong keeping that. I recognize I enjoy with high risk, but also high benefit. That's who I am actually. There are actually pair of suits in regulation football. There is actually the match on the scoreboard, and the second suit is your identity. You may lose one, yet you'll never ever lose the second fit." I hope you'll observe Salzburg pushing as well as chasing after the rival throughout the whole sound, as well as from all instructions. Yet above all, they are actually doing it with each other, for life." Added coverage: Sanne van Dongen as well as Milan van Dongen.