Man City appoint ex-Klopp assistant Lijnders to coaching staff
MANCHESTER CITY ON Tuesday confirmed the appointment of two former Liverpool coaches to Pep Guardiola's backroom staff, including Jurgen Klopp's ex-assistant Pepijn Lijnders.
The Dutchman arrives at the Etihad Stadium alongside a new set-piece coach, James French, who has spent the past 13 years at Anfield.
The appointments follow the departures of three members of Guardiola's backroom staff.
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Lijnders, 42, worked under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp at Liverpool.
He left the club along with Klopp at the end of the 2023/24 season and took up the post of head coach at Red Bull Salzburg but was sacked in December.
City director of football Hugo Viana said: 'Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years.
'Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.'
Guardiola's team endured a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, finishing third in the Premier League and failing to win a trophy for the first time in eight years.
They will travel to the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the United States as defending champions after winning the competition under its previous guise in Saudi Arabia two years ago.
The month-long tournament starts on June 14, with City opening their campaign against Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia four days later.
©AFP
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