.Tom Hamilton, Senior Citizen WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Signed up with ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered two Olympics, a set of Rugby Planet Cups and also two British & Irish Lions scenic tours u2022 Formerly rugby publisher, and also became senior writer in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked boxes on the flooring consist of moments of his quest from mentoring pupil at PSV to ending up being Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp calls it. There are actually bordered pictures, tshirts and also suit spheres coming from the a number of finals he helped the group reach.But there is another memento he treasures above all as it summarizes what he is actually enthusiastic regarding building young people, as well as observing all of them prosper on soccer's most significant stage. Close to some of the fit balls coming from the 2019 Champions Organization ultimate is a photo from the celebrations after Liverpool's victory. It is a picture of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold framed it as well as gave it to him when Lijnders quit Liverpool together with Klopp in May. The inscription reviews: "This is my much-loved photo people, as well. Thank you for completely whatever. Without you, none of it was actually achievable. Trent." Lijnders has actually obtained pages and also webpages of instruction treatments dating back twenty years. His adventure began in 2002 as youth coach at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he worked through the Liverpool places to end up being a trainer under Brendan Rodgers and also Klopp, before he made a decision to check out his personal during a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He returned to Liverpool 6 months later with terrific results and also, as Klopp informed ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "creativity for the last nine years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually now plunging into an additional journey at FC Salzburg, hoping to channel impacts like Johan Cruyff, the dad of Dutch "Complete Soccer," Italian ideal and also hvac Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his very own theory as a "counter-pressing beast," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and he is actually certainly not living under Klopp's wing.The road from assistant under a famous manager to supervisor in your personal right is a well-trodden one. There are actually results accounts: Mikel Arteta left behind Pep Guardiola's conservation in 2019 for the Toolbox project and has actually carried out surprisingly effectively in a short space of your time Josu00e9 Mourinho was actually assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona prior to bursting out on his personal to turn into one of the best successful managers of perpetuity brand-new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca functioned under Guardiola while the terrific Joe Fagan took what he profited from legendary duo Expense Shankly and also Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. However after that there are actually the deterrent examples also: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after seven trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Mam Alex Ferguson John Sculptor prospered under Robson and also Alan Pardew at Newcastle but bombed when he commanded as sitter in 2015. Thus, it is actually with that past of changability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He wishes his staff to become recognized for his blueprint of footballing "magnitude." But he won't be offered extremely long a moratorium. His group have produced an evaluated begin-- succeeding eight coming from 14 games, but shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Game on Tuesday-- and while it's a group renowned for young people growth, the fans expect effectiveness provided last time was their 1st without cutlery for a many years." We're trying to produce a crew that can trump anybody in world football," Lijnders informed ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts there yet? No, absolutely not. Yet our experts're on training course." Coming From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp construct among the greatest Liverpool teams in the history of the club. ( Photograph through John Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Lijnders' playing profession as a combative midfielder for nearby amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German border was stopped at 17 years old due to an ACL accident. He mosted likely to the Central Principle for Athletics Leader Instruction (CIOS) to research and also began operating at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only training instruction available to pupils on the course. As he managed his researches and also his task at PSV, he likewise organized SVEB's reserves, where he first made an effort to apply his approach: a mix of "Total Football" (a liquid regulation football device reassuring positional interchangeability promoted through Cruyff) as well as ruthless counter-pressing." I possessed the sensation players revived when I coached, which gives you confidence," he says.The instruction with PSV was actually implied to be a five-year job, but he was granted a full time agreement after three years, as well as invested the upcoming pair of years flitting between the USA and the Netherlands with fellow trainer Frans Hoek while creating abilities like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He picked up from the epic Guus Hiddink when he was PSV coach coming from 2002 to 2006 and also tells ESPN: "Guus offered colour to Dutch regulation football in the technique Ju00fcrgen provided colour to German football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed interest from MTK Budapest, however took up an arrangement at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- appreciated by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson as well as numerous others-- was an educational institution professor who was actually additionally assistant supervisor at Porto as well as the daddy of tactical periodisation (essentially utilizing instruction as a mirror for match intensity and also rhythm, as opposed to a separated workout). Lijnders remembers their military developments during the time and also breaks into a broad smile, referencing a flying photo he possesses of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's setup where he set up only wingers on the flanks as well as no full-backs. Back then it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade condition for the nightclub's program to re-think the academy's relationship along with the first string. "I educated all the crews-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the afternoon, and also U12 and U11 at night," he mentions. "Occasionally I would certainly have 40 gamers, however I failed to communicate a word of Portuguese." Regardless of that obstacle, Porto prospered. The nightclub brought through talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira as well as Diogo Dalot. There was additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer that captained Lijnders' youth groups at Porto, functioned as explainer, and also somebody that Lijnders composed that he "really loves to bits" in his 2022 manual "Magnitude."" That's why I really love soccer a great deal," Lijnders says. "The relationship you forge along with the gamers. If that relationship isn't there certainly, there is actually no way to excellence." He was appeared out by Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as a feasible add-on to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Guy United, but that collapsed when Ferguson resigned at the end of that time. And through mid-2014, Lijnders awaited a brand new challenge. While researching for his UEFA mentoring logos under the guidance of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had applied for a youth train job at Liverpool work, so the nightclub sent out U23 manager Michael Beale and also school director Alex Inglethorpe to listen closely to some of his discussions. It got the job done: "Michael claimed to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually not flying back to Porto, you're coming with me to Liverpool.'" Some Of Pep Lijnders' essential abilities was actually nourishing as well as determining academy skill before providing an odds to rise through the ranks. ( Photo through Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Graphics) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that evening, was set up in a hotel, and also for 3 times they spoke. It wound up along with Liverpool using Lijnders a contract to organize the U16 and U15s: a team that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and, significantly, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summer season Lijnders was actually ensured to a project with the first string under Rodgers, however when the Northern Irishman was sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the group's owners Fenway Sports Group) asked Lijnders to maintain Liverpool's training school Melwood ticking over while they worked at Klopp. Of course, when the German took control of there were no assurances he was actually visiting always keep Lijnders. Numerous of Rodgers' staff had left behind presently, yet Gordon talked to the new supervisor to keep a number of coaches from the previous regime. Klopp still had veto power, but was open to the idea.The to begin with was John Achtenberg. "Really good, considering that I really did not possess a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp bears in mind telling Gordon. He inquired his brand-new boss: "What carries out the various other fella carry out?" Gordon stated Lijnders was a "technical coach" a professional in tiding over between young people and first team." In Germany, no one pays for a train like that," Klopp informs ESPN. "They would certainly say, 'You wish a second aide for what? What are you performing?' Therefore, I suched as the idea a lot." It was a high-end to Klopp, however he still really did not understand much concerning this younger Dutch train. Therefore on his opening night at the nightclub, the new-look Liverpool monitoring got to know for dinner in the Chance Road Hotel. Klopp had his trusted staff Zeljko Buvac and also Peter Krawietz certainly there with him, but he wished to get to know the brand-new skins. Achtenberg sat to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was actually essentially enjoy prima facie," Klopp points out of Lijnders. "I viewed his passion for whatever." Klopp likewise viewed the amount of Lijnders valued him. "I do not view myself as an outstanding instructor," he says. "I understand some folks for some reason presume that, and also you could view it in Pep's eyes. You can see him presume, 'I better listen closely.' That is actually how it began. Due to the end, our company were identical partners." play1:40 Michallik: Port producing Liverpool's post-Klopp transition painlessJanusz Michallik claims the most significant compliment you may pay for Arne Port is that he is actually stopped experts discussing lifestyle after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' first role under Klopp was as best development coach. He loves flipcharts and each aspect of his tactical eyesight was actually made a note of on these substantial notepads. Klopp remembers those very early conferences, and how whenever he 'd talk, he would certainly hear Lijnders' pen scribbling away, taking down every thing he said.At this stage, Klopp phoned Buvac the "mind" and also Krawietz the "eye." Chatting in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp stated: "Pep has actually become unbelievably crucial quickly due to the fact that he composes every little thing down. He is additionally component of 'the brain' considering that he is our thoughts to consider things what our experts did in previous sessions ... I got the Dutch instructor who was resisted to things! Dutch football is actually possession-based: it's Complete Football, Cruyff. But he was actually a counter-pressing creature. I loved his pleasure as well as the method he avoids the saddle when he discusses football." One of his greatest contributions because 1st time frame at Liverpool can be found in nudging Klopp to offer a number of the academy players an opportunity in the first team, with Alexander-Arnold some of the very first advertised in 2016 at the age of 18." I might write a publication concerning the moment he initially informed me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp says to ESPN. "We opened the door Trent operated throughout it. His appropriate feet is preposterous. The Trent highlights video recording is actually foolish. You don't need to have the targets, it is actually the passes, you see the elapseds and also believe 'Exactly how is that achievable?' It's an entirely various sporting activity." Lijnders likewise had a large influence in tiding over between first string and also academy. "I learnt from him," Klopp adds. "He opened my mind for various things in regulation football. As most of us age, the distance in between you as well as the grow older of the player group gets bigger. My two boys kept me in touch with that generation, yet of course, the newest generation of first-rate trainers are actually presently around. There is actually consistently transform, growth and renovation. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders had a quick stint at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen before rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Image through Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC using Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders took over even more duty: planning training as well as the routine around fits. Off the pitch, the two consistently participated in padel as well as became unbelievably close friends.Liverpool ended up fourth in 2016-17 but, midway via the complying with campaign, Lijnders was being seemed out concerning a head-coach placement of his personal spine in the Netherlands. Interested to come back to his home to be along with his dad as he battled cancer cells, the 34-year-old chosen to take the top job at then-second branch edge NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His target was actually to safeguard promo back to the Eredivisie, however it showed to be an untoward spell as well as they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the function, he left through reciprocal contract on May 17." I have actually constantly taken complete obligation and certainly never stated a poor phrase concerning NEC," Lijnders says. "It's a beautiful nightclub, however sometimes the time is actually wrong. Occasionally there is actually no click, or often you join a club where you need persistence. But I take task. I don't intend to mention excessive about it, since everything I state might stumble upon inappropriate. I found out a great deal to take into my following project." Back at Anfield, Buvac had carried on in April and also Klopp was actually searching for a new assistant. Obviously, he desired Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders resided in the landscape along with his other half Danielle and mommy when his phone rang. It was Klopp, and Danielle asked what the call had to do with. "He told me our company are actually mosting likely to dominate the planet," Lijnders informed her.Just 19 times after he left NEC, Lijnders' consultation as Klopp's assistant supervisor was actually introduced on June 5." All of us know there's a famous phrase: 'You can discover more coming from beats than from constant victory,'" Klopp states. "I am actually not exactly sure it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was actually a true defeat, however it wasn't well ready, I assume our company can easily say that. Our experts didn't communicate a whole lot concerning it, it was actually certainly not essential. I was only glad he came back." A gold returnPep Lijnders and also Jurgen Klopp pose with the FA Cup and the Carabao Mug prize in the course of the Liverpool ceremony on May 29, 2022. ( Photograph through Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Over the next few years, Klopp and Lijnders would certainly achieve remarkable results all together at Liverpool. The crowning second was the 2019 Champions League ultimate sway Tottenham Hotspur, but that was actually merely one of a lot of trophies including the 2019-20 Premier Organization label, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Group World Mug, as well as 2022 and 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders was there for all the vital instants, both well-known and in the darkness as they plotted their excellence. He was explainer on decision when Klopp was attempting to convince Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the group in January 2022, and keeps in mind sitting in Klopp's kitchen area attempting to exercise how to urge centre-back Virgil vehicle Dijk to sign from Southampton in January 2018. But through all the happiness and setbacks, the task took its own toll. As well as just before the 2023-24 season started, Klopp as well as Lijnders started to think about the finishing factor." It was happening in the [2023] summertime, [along with] an extremely hard year responsible for our company," Lijnders points out of a campaign where the group finished fifth as well as were actually knocked senseless of the Champions Game in the round of 16. "Our company were happy our team gained the final 8, nine activities of the time, our experts still headed to Europe. Our team altered the unit Trent went a lot more inside [to play as a midfielder]" In the summertime our team presently explained if it was actually the right time to go, or if it was actually the correct time to carry on. Our team stated 'yes, our experts'll carry out another year and our experts'll view in January.' But through November-time, Ju00fcrgen mentioned: 'I am actually performed.' As well as I claimed, 'Yes if that's the case, it is actually opportunity for me to go as well.' I've had many, great promotions in recent times, but I wished to complete the job with him. My hookup is very sturdy with him: he is actually a bro, a papa, a coach. Beyond my household and also closest friends, he understands me better than anybody." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the final time as they defeat Wolves 2-0. After being out on the sound, soaking in the unfiltered adulation, positioning for many pictures, he located themself back in the innards of Anfield and also there was actually an uncommon second of silent." Our team would certainly had Louise Dobson, the staff supervisor, telling our company where to go and also when, as well as our team were therefore touched [by the celebrations]," he says. "Ultimately, it was actually merely Pep as well as me. Our team had splits in our eyes. We knew our team were actually honored at the same time considering that in our service, you are available in by means of the frontal door and also they push you out the back entrance. Our company were actually blessed and our company could possibly walk out with the main door. Our experts composed a publication with each other and that was actually the final phase. And we delighted in that as a lot [as our company can] due to the fact that you recognize it's certainly not forever. That's life." After a night partying, as well as, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family controling the dancing floor, interest relied on the future. Lijnders had currently been actually dealing with rate of interest coming from nightclubs keen to talk to him about future jobs, and also he recognized it was time for his loved ones to experience one thing new." You possess one decade in Liverpool, in Formby, a small community, you have everything there, right?" he states. "Thus my kids recognize nothing aside from England, Liverpool and the nightclub. They believe every arena feels like Anfield." Lijnders just spoke to nightclubs who will explore him in person in Formby, and each time he will search for certain guarantees. But it was actually Austrian Bundesliga side FC Salzburg that seduced him. The group possessed endured a hard 2023-24 project, which saw then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and also succeeded the frequent time but ended up second in the Championship Cycle to Sturm Graz to finish their initial trophyless period in a decade.After a visit to Salzburg to go to the nightclub in person, Lijnders' other half Danielle turned to their youngest son, Romijn, and inquired: "What perform you think about Salzburg?" Romijn responded to: "I miss it actually." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has made Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Mark Donaldson and Janusz Michallik explain exactly how Liverpool supervisor Arne Port is acquiring the most ideal out of his squad, especially Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 win over Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg defeated FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to receive the Champions League group stage. "Our experts desire to be the staff that may trump anybody on the planet," Lijnders says. "Are our company there but? No, of course not ... we've simply started. Yet I really want the enthusiasts to presume, "ok, this is actually the brand-new Salzburg."" Along with his counter-pressing viewpoint profoundly embedded, Lijnders likewise desires his Salzburg to asphyxiate the opposition. "You may play a dominant design of soccer, where you can easily possess the reception in the opponent's half a great deal," he incorporates. "Our team are youthful, our team excel, our company contain blowing. We don't want the challenger to possess any time. There is actually a great deal talent listed below, a lot energy, so much youth. "We have a much smaller team, 16 or even 17 gamers, which offers us area for the academy." Along with a slogan of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Football from tomorrow] and also a past of first-rate gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and Dayot Upamecano having happened with the positions, the club's concentration is quite on youth the earliest gamers in the team are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (thirty three) and also Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the earliest outfield players are actually 25. Since Lijnders participated in, Salzburg have already invaded his aged nightclub to authorize midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and also Bobby Clark on car loan, while the brand-new manager additionally delivered trainers Vitor Matos and also Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The crazy people coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool instructors still have their WhatsApp group available it's called the "Precious stone Dogs," encouraged by Apple television show Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the conversation is actually as energetic as ever before, along with Klopp always keeping a near eye on exactly how Lijnders is actually making out." Everyone along with a bit of a football eye may view his impact," Klopp claims. "I adore this good mix of genuine intensity, a very clear idea and also ownership. I told him after a video game lately, you can find this staff has an excellent train. That is actually how I determine trainers my whole life-- you view the activities, and after that you wonder that instructors all of them. They participate in properly. I assume it's a great deal for him at Salzburg. It's thus clever from him, and it's thus wise from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization season started along with four victories, a draw and also a defeat, yet it has additionally seen detrimental reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and also Brest (4-0) in the Champions Organization. He obtained some critical remarks for dealing with groups against Sparta and also Austria Wien without any Austrian players in the sequence, however Lijnders understands there will be opportunities when kind slumps and also stress boosts. He will definitely follow his principles which have served him effectively up until now." It is actually dark and lonely when you don't win, and when you enter into such a period, it can be dark, unhappy as well as unpleasant," he claims. "Yet when you are actually training on the area, assisting gamers boost, I am going to never get tired of that. In those seconds you have to hold on to what makes you, as a player, as well as a trainer." Every instructor will look at challenging periods, but there's nothing at all wrong keeping that. I understand I enjoy with higher threat, but additionally higher perks. That's that I am. There are actually 2 paireds in football. There is actually the suit on the scoreboard, and also the second suit is your identification. You may drop one, however you'll certainly never shed the 2nd fit." I wish you'll observe Salzburg mashing and chasing after the opponent all over the entire pitch, and also coming from all instructions. But above all, they're doing it all together, permanently." Added coverage: Sanne van Dongen and also Milan van Dongen.