.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Signed up with ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with 2 Olympics, a pair of Rugby Planet Cups and pair of British & Irish Lions scenic tours u2022 Formerly rugby editor, and became elderly author in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked containers on the flooring consist of minds of his experience from training pupil at PSV to becoming Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "identical companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp contacts it. There are actually mounted images, t shirts and suit balls from the a number of finals he assisted the group reach.But there is actually another memento he treasures above all as it sums up what he's enthusiastic concerning developing youth, and also viewing all of them flourish on football's biggest phase. Alongside among the match rounds coming from the 2019 Champions League last is a picture coming from the events after Liverpool's conquest. It is a photo of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold mounted it and also inflicted him when Lijnders quit Liverpool alongside Klopp in May. The inscription reviews: "This is my favorite image of us, as well. Thank you for positively every little thing. Without you, none of it was actually feasible. Trent." Lijnders has actually got web pages and also pages of instruction sessions dating back twenty years. His quest started in 2002 as young people coach at PSV, in 2006 he relocated to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool rates to become a coach under Brendan Rodgers and also Klopp, before he decided to try his very own in the course of a chastening spell as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He went back to Liverpool six months eventually with terrific excellence as well as, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "motivation for the last 9 years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is right now plunging into another experience at FC Salzburg, planning to carry impacts like Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch "Overall Soccer," Italian lofty and hvac Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his very own approach as a "counter-pressing creature," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, as well as he is actually certainly not living under Klopp's wing.The pathway coming from assistant under a widely known employer to supervisor in your very own right is a well-trodden one. There are actually success stories: Mikel Arteta left behind Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Toolbox work as well as has done exceptionally well in a brief space of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona prior to breaking out on his very own to turn into one of the absolute most successful supervisors of perpetuity new Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca operated under Guardiola while the excellent Joe Fagan took what he profited from fabulous duo Expense Shankly as well as Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet then there are the sign of things to come too: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United along with Sir Alex Ferguson John Sculptor prospered under Robson and Alan Pardew at Newcastle but bombed when he commanded as caretaker in 2015. Therefore, it's with that history of unpredictability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He desires his team to be understood for his blueprint of footballing "strength." However he won't be actually provided very long a grace period. His group have produced an assessed start-- succeeding 8 coming from 14 games, but shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday-- and also while it's a team renowned for youth progression, the followers expect success given final period was their 1st without silverware for a decade." Our experts're making an effort to develop a group that can defeat anyone in planet volleyball," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts there certainly however? No, absolutely not. But we perform training course." Coming From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp construct one of the best Liverpool teams in the history of the club. ( Picture through John Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Lijnders' having fun profession as a contentious midfielder for nearby amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German border was actually interrupted at 17 years of ages as a result of an ACL accident. He went to the Central Institute for Athletics Forerunner Training (CIOS) to examine and also started operating at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only training apprenticeship on offer to pupils on the program. As he managed his research studies and his job at PSV, he additionally organized SVEB's books, where he first made an effort to execute his theory: a mix of "Complete Soccer" (a liquid football unit encouraging positional interchange promoted by Cruyff) and relentless counter-pressing." I possessed the sensation gamers came to life when I coached, which provides you peace of mind," he says.The instruction with PSV was actually suggested to be a five-year job, however he was actually awarded a full time agreement after three years, and also devoted the next two years flitting between the USA as well as the Netherlands along with fellow coach Frans Hoek while establishing talents like Cody Gakpo as well as Jordan Teze. He profited from the famous Guus Hiddink when he was PSV trainer from 2002 to 2006 as well as tells ESPN: "Guus offered colour to Dutch football in the technique Ju00fcrgen gave colour to German regulation football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed passion from MTK Budapest, however took up a deal at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every word. Frade-- appreciated by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and many others-- was an university lecturer that was actually additionally assistant manager at Porto as well as the daddy of tactical periodisation (basically making use of instruction as a mirror for suit magnitude and rhythm, rather than a separated workout). Lijnders remembers their planned innovations during the time and get into a large smile, referencing a flying photo he has of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's arrangement where he deployed only wingers on the flanks as well as no full-backs. Back then it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders operated to spearhead Porto's "Project 611," a sunshade condition for the club's strategy to re-think the institute's relationship with the first string. "I educated all the staffs-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the mid-day, as well as U12 and also U11 at night," he states. "Often I will possess 40 players, yet I failed to talk a term of Portuguese." Even with that obstacle, Porto thrived. The nightclub delivered by means of talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and also Diogo Dalot. There was actually additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player who captained Lijnders' youth teams at Porto, worked as linguist, and also someone who Lijnders created that he "adores to little bits" in his 2022 manual "Strength."" That's why I like regulation football a lot," Lijnders points out. "The connection you forge with the players. If that bond isn't there, there's no other way to success." He was sounded out by Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as a feasible enhancement to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Man United, yet that collapsed when Ferguson resigned in the end of that time. As well as through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a brand new challenge. While examining for his UEFA training symbols under the direction of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually obtained a young people coach job at Liverpool work, so the nightclub delivered U23 manager Michael Beale as well as school director Alex Inglethorpe to listen closely to some of his discussions. It got the job done: "Michael mentioned to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually certainly not soaring back to Porto, you're including me to Liverpool.'" Some Of Pep Lijnders' crucial skills was nourishing as well as pinpointing institute skill just before providing an odds to rise with the rankings. ( Photo through Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Images) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that night, was actually installed in a resort, as well as for 3 days they chatted. It ended up with Liverpool giving Lijnders a deal to take charge of the U16 and U15s: a group that consisted of Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and also, particularly, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summer Lijnders was actually promoted to a project with the first team under Rodgers, however when the Northern Irishman was sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the club's owners Fenway Athletics Team) inquired Lijnders to keep Liverpool's training school Melwood beating over while they worked at Klopp. Naturally, when the German took control of there were actually no warranties he was actually visiting always keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' workers had left behind actually, yet Gordon asked the brand new supervisor to go on a number of coaches coming from the previous regime. Klopp still possessed last word, yet was open to the idea.The initially was actually John Achtenberg. "Good, due to the fact that I failed to possess a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp bears in mind informing Gordon. He inquired his new manager: "What does the other man carry out?" Gordon stated Lijnders was actually a "technical instructor" an expert in bridging the gap in between young people and also first team." In Germany, nobody pays for a train like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They would certainly claim, 'You prefer a second aide of what? What are you performing?' So, I ased if the tip a whole lot." It was actually a luxury to Klopp, but he still didn't recognize much regarding this youthful Dutch trainer. Therefore on his opening night at the club, the new-look Liverpool management encountered for dinner in the Chance Street Resort. Klopp had his trusted team Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz certainly there along with him, but he wished to learn more about the brand-new skins. Achtenberg sat to one side of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually more or less like prima facie," Klopp mentions of Lijnders. "I viewed his passion for every little thing." Klopp additionally viewed how much Lijnders respected him. "I don't view myself as an extraordinary coach," he says. "I understand some people somehow believe that, and you can see it in Pep's eyes. You could possibly find him assume, 'I better pay attention.' That's just how it started. Due to the end, our team were actually equivalent companions." play1:40 Michallik: Slot making Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik claims the biggest favor you can easily spend Arne Slot is that he is actually ceased pundits discussing life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' initial role under Klopp was as best advancement trainer. He enjoys flipcharts and each element of his tactical vision was actually written down on these substantial notepads. Klopp don't forgets those early appointments, and just how whenever he 'd talk, he will listen to Lijnders' marker jotting away, noting down everything he said.At this stage, Klopp contacted Buvac the "brain" and also Krawietz the "eye." Chatting in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp said: "Pep has come to be extremely significant quickly since he creates everything down. He is actually additionally portion of 'the brain' given that he is our thoughts to keep in mind the important things what our company performed in previous sessions ... I received the Dutch trainer who was opposed to belongings! Dutch football is possession-based: it is actually Overall Regulation Football, Cruyff. Yet he was actually a counter-pressing beast. I liked his enthusiasm and also the way he avoids the saddle when he talks about football." Some of his best additions during that very first time period at Liverpool came in pushing Klopp to offer a number of the academy players an odds in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold one of the first promoted in 2016 at the age of 18." I could possibly compose a book concerning the second he to begin with told me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp informs ESPN. "Our team opened the door Trent managed right through it. His correct foot is outrageous. The Trent highlights online video is foolish. You don't require the targets, it is actually the successfully pases, you enjoy the passes as well as believe 'Exactly how is that achievable?' It's an entirely various sport." Lijnders also had a big influence in tiding over between first team and also academy. "I profited from him," Klopp includes. "He opened my thoughts for different traits in soccer. As most of us age, the distance between you and the age of the player team grows. My two boys maintained me in contact with that said creation, however obviously, the newest generation of unparalleled trains are actually available. There is actually consistently modify, progression and enhancement. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders had a quick stint at Dutch edge NEC Nijmegen just before rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Photograph by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders took over extra obligation: planning training as well as the routine around fits. Off the sound, the two regularly participated in padel and also became surprisingly near friends.Liverpool finished 4th in 2016-17 but, midway through the following campaign, Lijnders was actually being appeared out concerning a head-coach placement of his personal back in the Netherlands. Eager to go back to his homeland to become along with his papa as he battled cancer cells, the 34-year-old decided to take the best project at then-second branch side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His objective was actually to secure promo back to the Eredivisie, yet it verified to be an untoward incantation and also they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the role, he left by common agreement on Might 17." I have actually always taken total accountability and certainly never mentioned a negative term about NEC," Lijnders claims. "It is actually a lovely club, yet occasionally the timing is wrong. Sometimes there is actually no hit, or in some cases you participate in a club where you require determination. However I take duty. I don't desire to point out a lot of concerning it, due to the fact that everything I claim could come across incorrect. I knew a great deal to take in to my next work." Back at Anfield, Buvac had moved on in April as well as Klopp was searching for a new aide. Naturally, he preferred Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders remained in the garden along with his partner Danielle and also mommy when his phone called. It was Klopp, as well as Danielle asked what the call had to do with. "He informed me we're visiting overcome the globe," Lijnders informed her.Just 19 times after he left NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant supervisor was actually announced on June 5." We all recognize there's a widely known saying: 'You can discover more coming from beats than coming from steady victory,'" Klopp states. "I am actually uncertain it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was a true loss, yet it wasn't properly prepared, I believe our team can mention that. We failed to talk a whole lot about it, it was actually not essential. I was actually just glad he came back." A gold returnPep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp position along with the FA Cup as well as the Carabao Cup trophy in the course of the Liverpool procession on Might 29, 2022. ( Photograph by Jan Kruger/Getty Graphics) Over the following couple of years, Klopp and also Lijnders would obtain remarkable effectiveness together at Liverpool. The glorious second was the 2019 Champions Organization final win over Tottenham Hotspur, yet that was actually merely one of a lot of trophies consisting of the 2019-20 Premier Organization headline, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club Globe Mug, and also 2022 and also 2024 League Cups.Lijnders sympathized all the essential seconds, both well-known and in the shadows as they outlined their success. He was explainer on the call when Klopp was trying to encourage Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the club in January 2022, and also always remembers partaking Klopp's kitchen area making an effort to work out just how to convince centre-back Virgil van Dijk to authorize coming from Southampton in January 2018. Yet by means of all the joy and also drawbacks, the job took its toll. As well as prior to the 2023-24 season started, Klopp and Lijnders started to plan for the finishing aspect." It was actually happening in the [2023] summer, [with] a quite complicated year responsible for us," Lijnders points out of a project where the club finished 5th and were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16. "Our team enjoyed our company gained the last 8, 9 activities of the time, our team still mosted likely to Europe. Our company altered the device Trent went a lot more inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer months we presently talked about if it was actually the correct time to go, or if it was actually the correct time to carry on. Our experts pointed out 'yes, our experts'll carry out one more year as well as we'll find in January.' However through November-time, Ju00fcrgen mentioned: 'I am actually performed.' And also I said, 'Yes if that holds true, it is actually opportunity for me to go as well.' I have actually possessed several, good deals recently, yet I wished to complete the venture with him. My link is actually quite strong along with him: he's a bro, a daddy, an advisor. Beyond my household and closest friends, he knows me far better than any individual." On May 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the ultimate time as they trump Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the sound, penetrating the unfiltered worship, posing for numerous pictures, he discovered himself back in the bowels of Anfield as well as there was actually an uncommon moment of peaceful." Our company 'd possessed Louise Dobson, the group manager, informing us where to go as well as when, and also our team were actually thus touched [by the events]," he states. "In the long run, it was just Pep as well as me. Our team possessed splits in our eyes. We knew our team were actually honored at the same time because in our company, you can be found in through the front door and also they push you out the back door. Our company were actually blessed as well as our experts can walk out via the front door. We wrote a book all together and also was the final chapter. And our experts delighted in that as a lot [as our experts could] because you know it is actually certainly not forever. That is actually life." After an evening partying, and also, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family members dominating the dancing flooring, focus looked to the future. Lijnders had actually been actually picking up interest from clubs keen to consult with him about future opportunities, and also he recognized it was actually time for his family to experience one thing new." You possess one decade in Liverpool, in Formby, a tiny community, you possess whatever there certainly, right?" he says. "Thus my children recognize absolutely nothing aside from England, Liverpool as well as the club. They think every coliseum resembles Anfield." Lijnders merely spoke with nightclubs who would certainly see him personally in Formby, and each opportunity he 'd try to find particular assurances. But it was actually Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that attracted him. The staff possessed withstood a hard 2023-24 campaign, which found then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and also won the routine period but ended up second in the Champion Round to Sturm Graz to end their initial trophyless time in a decade.After a visit to Salzburg to explore the club in person, Lijnders' wife Danielle turned to their youngest son, Romijn, and asked: "What do you think about Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I skip it actually." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has created Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Mark Donaldson and Janusz Michallik review how Liverpool manager Arne Port is actually receiving the most effective away from his team, specifically Luis Du00edaz, following their 3-0 get Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg beat FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to obtain the Champions Rank group stage. "Our team want to be the crew that can beat anybody around the world," Lijnders mentions. "Are our company certainly there however? No, certainly certainly not ... we have actually simply started. However I yearn for the enthusiasts to think, "okay, this is the new Salzburg."" Along with his counter-pressing viewpoint heavily inherent, Lijnders additionally wants his Salzburg to asphyxiate the opposition. "You may participate in a prevalent style of football, where you can have the reception in the opponent's half a great deal," he incorporates. "Our team are youthful, our experts are talented, we contain bravado. Our team don't yearn for the rival to possess at any time. There is so much skill listed below, a lot power, a lot youth. "Our experts possess a smaller squad, 16 or even 17 players, and also gives our company area for the academy." With a motto of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Soccer from tomorrow] and a history of first-rate gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and also Dayot Upamecano having happened by means of the rankings, the nightclub's concentration is actually quite on youth the oldest players in the team are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (thirty three) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the earliest outfield players are 25. Because Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have actually presently overruned his aged club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on car loan, while the brand new manager additionally took trainers Vitor Matos as well as Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The mad people from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool coaches still have their WhatsApp group open it is actually knowned as the "Gemstone Canine," inspired through Apple television series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the chat is actually as energetic as ever, with Klopp keeping a near eye on just how Lijnders is doing." Everybody along with a little a football eye can easily view his influence," Klopp points out. "I enjoy this pleasant mix of true strength, a clear concept as well as belongings. I told him after a game recently, you can easily view this staff has a good instructor. That is actually just how I determine trains my entire life-- you check out the video games, and then you question who trainers them. They participate in well. I think it's a great deal for him at Salzburg. It is actually thus intelligent from him, and also it is actually therefore wise from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization period started with 4 wins, a draw as well as a defeat, but it has actually additionally observed harmful reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and also Brest (4-0) in the Champions Game. He obtained some criticism for dealing with crews against Sparta and also Austria Wien without any Austrian gamers in the sequence, but Lijnders knows there are going to be opportunities when kind sags and tension increases. He is going to adhere to his guidelines which have provided him effectively so far." It is actually dark and unhappy when you don't succeed, as well as when you enter into such a period, it can be black, lonely as well as uncomfortable," he says. "However when you're training on the industry, helping gamers improve, I will definitely never ever obtain tired of that. In those minutes you must hang on to what makes you, as a gamer, and a coach." Every instructor will look at tough time periods, yet there's nothing at all incorrect keeping that. I know I enjoy with higher risk, yet likewise higher reward. That's that I am actually. There are pair of matches in football. There's the match on the scoreboard, and also the second complement is your identity. You can lose one, but you'll certainly never shed the 2nd match." I hope you'll view Salzburg mashing as well as chasing the rival throughout the entire pitch, and coming from all directions. But most importantly, they're performing it together, for good." Extra coverage: Sanne truck Dongen and Milan truck Dongen.