Man City 'consider' Liverpool title winner as Pep Guardiola plots huge change
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is in the running to become part of Pep Guardiola's new-look coaching staff. Manchester City announced on Wednesday that two members of Guardiola's backroom team had left the club following their below-par season.
City failed to win a trophy for the first time since Guardiola's first campaign in 2016-17. It resulted in the exits of Juanma Lillo and Inigo Dominguez, whose contracts will expire next month.
In addition, Carlos Vicens has left the Etihad to become the new manager of Portuguese side Braga. Guardiola is now seeking to refresh his coaching staff and Lijnders has emerged as a candidate.
The Times report that the Dutchman is being considered, having left Liverpool at the same time as Jurgen Klopp 12 months ago. Lijnders was soon appointed Red Bull Salzburg manager but was sacked in December after a disastrous start to the season.
He'd only been a first-team manager once before, taking charge of Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen for a short time either side of his two spells at Liverpool. Klopp's ex-No.2 helped the Reds become European champions in 2019 before finally ending their 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2020.
City are also considering promoting Kolo Toure to a first-team coaching position. The former defender returned to the Etihad last season as assistant under-18 coach and has impressed academy staff.
Toure, 44, played for City for four years before working under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and Leicester. The Ivorian then had a brief spell at Wigan Athletic in League One.
City won't rush into a decision and have already decided who'll assist Guardiola during the Club World Cup in the USA next month. The club's under-21 manager, Ben Wilkinson, and his assistant, Craig Mudd, will step up for the tournament.
Should Pep Lijnders join Manchester City? Have your say in the comments section.
Before Feyenoord boss Arne Slot was chosen as Klopp's successor, Lijdners was a candidate to get the Liverpool gig. The 42-year-old revealed ahead of his exit that Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon had personally called him to reveal that he was indeed 'really considered'.
Lijnders told the Athletic: "Mike said, 'Pep, we really considered you, but I think it's fair for you that we don't put you after Jurgen'. Mike is a good guy. He knew as well. I'd made my ambition clear. It was best for the future."
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