.Tom Hamilton, Elder WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Signed up with ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with two Olympics, a pair of Rugby Globe Cups and also two British & Irish Lions scenic tours u2022 Previously rugby publisher, as well as ended up being elderly author in 2018The wall surfaces of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand-new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked boxes on the flooring have memories of his journey from mentoring student at PSV to becoming Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "identical companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp phones it. There are actually mounted images, tees and also match balls coming from the several finals he helped the staff reach.But there is another memento he treasures most of all as it summarizes what he is actually passionate regarding cultivating youth, as well as finding them flourish on regulation football's biggest phase. Next to some of the complement balls coming from the 2019 Champions League final is actually a photo coming from the events after Liverpool's victory. It is actually a photo of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold mounted it and inflicted him when Lijnders quit Liverpool along with Klopp in May. The inscription reviews: "This is my preferred photo people, too. Thanks for definitely every little thing. Without you, none of it was achievable. Trent." Lijnders has actually acquired web pages and webpages of instruction treatments dating back 20 years. His quest began in 2002 as young people train at PSV, in 2006 he relocated to FC Porto, at that point in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool rates to come to be a trainer under Brendan Rodgers as well as Klopp, just before he decided to check out his own during a chastening spell as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He went back to Liverpool 6 months later with terrific results and, as Klopp informed ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "motivation for the last 9 years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually now starting one more adventure at FC Salzburg, wanting to direct effects like Johan Cruyff, the papa of Dutch "Total Regulation Football," Italian visionary and also a/c Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his personal viewpoint as a "counter-pressing creature," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and he's certainly not living under Klopp's wing.The course coming from aide under a well-known supervisor to manager in your own right is actually a well-trodden one. There are actually excellence stories: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's conservation in 2019 for the Arsenal task as well as has actually performed extremely properly in a brief space of your time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before breaking out on his personal to become one of the best effective managers of perpetuity brand-new Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca operated under Guardiola while the excellent Joe Fagan took what he picked up from epic duo Expense Shankly and also Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet then there are actually the sign of things to come as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Alex Ferguson John Sculptor flourished under Robson and also Alan Pardew at Newcastle however flopped when he commanded as caretaker in 2015. So, it is actually with that background of changability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He prefers his staff to be recognized for his master plan of footballing "magnitude." But he will not be actually provided too long a grace period. His group have actually helped make a gauged begin-- gaining 8 coming from 14 activities, but shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Game on Tuesday-- as well as while it's a team renowned for youth development, the supporters expect success provided final time was their first without cutlery for a years." Our experts are actually attempting to make a staff that may beat anybody in globe volleyball," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are our team there yet? No, never. However our company get on training course." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders aided Jurgen Klopp develop some of the greatest Liverpool teams in the past of the club. ( Photograph by John Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Lijnders' having fun profession as a cussed midfielder for nearby amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German boundary was actually shortened at 17 years old because of an ACL injury. He headed to the Central Institute for Athletics Innovator Instruction (CIOS) to examine and started operating at PSV Eindhoven, acquiring the only coaching apprenticeship on offer to students on the training program. As he managed his research studies as well as his work at PSV, he likewise took charge of SVEB's books, where he to begin with made an effort to execute his approach: a mix of "Total Soccer" (a fluid soccer device reassuring positional interchange promoted through Cruyff) and also relentless counter-pressing." I possessed the feeling players revived when I trained, which provides you peace of mind," he says.The apprenticeship with PSV was actually implied to be a five-year venture, but he was granted a permanent arrangement after three years, and spent the upcoming pair of years sweeping between the USA and also the Netherlands along with fellow coach Frans Hoek while building talents like Cody Gakpo and Jordan Teze. He profited from the legendary Guus Hiddink when he was PSV train coming from 2002 to 2006 as well as says to ESPN: "Guus offered colour to Dutch regulation football in the method Ju00fcrgen gave colour to German soccer." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had enthusiasm from MTK Budapest, yet used up a contract at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- admired by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson as well as a great number of others-- was an university instructor that was additionally assistant supervisor at Porto and also the father of planned periodisation (basically utilizing instruction as a looking glass for match intensity as well as rhythm, as opposed to a segregated physical exercise). Lijnders remembers their military innovations during the time as well as breaks into a large smile, referencing a flying picture he has of one Co Adriaanse's arrangement where he deployed solely wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. At the moment it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," an umbrella term for the club's planning to re-think the academy's connection with the first team. "I qualified all the teams-- U19 in the early morning, U15 in the afternoon, and also U12 and U11 in the evening," he claims. "Sometimes I will possess 40 players, but I really did not talk a term of Portuguese." Regardless of that obstacle, Porto developed. The nightclub brought with talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira as well as Diogo Dalot. There was actually likewise midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player that captained Lijnders' youth groups at Porto, worked as linguist, and a person who Lijnders composed that he "really loves to littles" in his 2022 book "Strength."" That is actually why I like regulation football a lot," Lijnders points out. "The partnership you create along with the players. If that connection isn't there certainly, there's no chance to results." He was seemed out through Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as a possible addition to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Man United, but that collapsed when Ferguson resigned in the end of that time. As well as through mid-2014, Lijnders awaited a brand-new obstacle. While studying for his UEFA coaching symbols under the support of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had made an application for a youth trainer opportunity at Liverpool work, so the club sent U23 manager Michael Beale as well as institute supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to listen to some of his discussions. It got the job done: "Michael said to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually certainly not flying back to Porto, you're including me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' crucial skill-sets was nourishing as well as identifying institute ability just before providing a chance to climb through the ranks. ( Image by Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Graphics) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that night, was actually set up in an accommodation, and also for three times they spoke. It ended up with Liverpool providing Lijnders a contract to take charge of the U16 as well as U15s: a group that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and, notably, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was actually promoted to a task along with the first string under Rodgers, yet when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (president of the club's owners Fenway Sports Team) inquired Lijnders to keep Liverpool's training ground Melwood ticking over while they pursued Klopp. Certainly, when the German took over there were no assurances he was mosting likely to keep Lijnders. Numerous of Rodgers' team had actually left actually, yet Gordon asked the brand-new supervisor to keep on a number of instructors from the previous routine. Klopp still possessed last word, however levelled to the idea.The first was actually John Achtenberg. "Great, because I really did not possess a goalkeeping coach," Klopp don't forgets saying to Gordon. He inquired his brand-new manager: "What carries out the other man carry out?" Gordon said Lijnders was actually a "specialized trainer" an expert in bridging the gap in between young people and also first string." In Germany, nobody spends for a train like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They 'd point out, 'You desire a 2nd associate for what? What are you performing?' So, I just liked the suggestion a great deal." It was actually a deluxe to Klopp, but he still failed to know much concerning this younger Dutch coach. So on his first night at the club, the new-look Liverpool management encountered for supper in the Chance Road Hotels And Resort. Klopp had his relied on staff Zeljko Buvac as well as Peter Krawietz certainly there with him, however he intended to understand the brand new faces. Achtenberg rested away of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually essentially like at first sight," Klopp says of Lijnders. "I viewed his enthusiasm for whatever." Klopp also saw how much Lijnders valued him. "I do not view on my own as an awesome trainer," he says. "I know some folks for some reason believe that, and you could possibly find it in Pep's eyes. You could see him think, 'I better listen.' That is actually just how it began. By the end, our team were equivalent partners." play1:40 Michallik: Slot making Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik says the greatest favor you can pay for Arne Slot is actually that he's quit pundits referring to life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st duty under Klopp was as elite advancement coach. He adores flipcharts and also each element of his tactical sight was written down on these large pieces of paper. Klopp don't forgets those early meetings, as well as exactly how whenever he will chat, he would certainly hear Lijnders' pen doodling away, writing whatever he said.At this phase, Klopp called Buvac the "brain" as well as Krawietz the "eye." Speaking in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp mentioned: "Pep has actually become incredibly significant quickly since he creates everything down. He is actually likewise aspect of 'the human brain' because he is our thoughts to remember the many things what we performed in previous treatments ... I obtained the Dutch instructor who was resisted to ownership! Dutch regulation football is possession-based: it is actually Complete Soccer, Cruyff. But he was a counter-pressing beast. I liked his exhilaration and the means he gets out of the seat when he talks about soccer." Among his best additions in that very first time frame at Liverpool was available in pushing Klopp to give a number of the institute players an opportunity in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold among the very first ensured in 2016 at the grow older of 18." I could possibly create a book concerning the instant he to begin with informed me regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp tells ESPN. "Our experts unlocked Trent operated throughout it. His appropriate feet is actually ludicrous. The Trent highlights video clip is preposterous. You do not require the targets, it's the successfully pases, you view the successfully pases and also think 'Exactly how is that possible?' It's a totally various sport." Lijnders also possessed a significant influence in bridging the gap between first team and also institute. "I profited from him," Klopp includes. "He opened my mind for various factors in regulation football. As most of us age, the span in between you and the grow older of the player group gets bigger. My two boys maintained me in touch with that said production, but obviously, the future generation of unparalleled instructors are actually currently out there. There's consistently modify, growth and enhancement. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders possessed a brief job at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen before rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders assumed a lot more obligation: planning instruction and also the timetable around fits. Off the sound, the 2 frequently played padel as well as ended up being surprisingly near friends.Liverpool completed fourth in 2016-17 but, midway by means of the following initiative, Lijnders was actually being seemed out concerning a head-coach position of his own back in the Netherlands. Eager to return to his home to become with his dad as he combated cancer, the 34-year-old determined to take the top job at then-second department side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His objective was actually to safeguard promotion back to the Eredivisie, but it confirmed to be an untoward incantation and also they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over five months in the task, he left by common contract on May 17." I have actually constantly taken full responsibility as well as never said a bad term regarding NEC," Lijnders claims. "It's an attractive nightclub, yet often the timing is actually wrong. At times there is no click, or at times you sign up with a club where you need patience. Yet I take accountability. I don't intend to state excessive about it, given that every thing I say could encounter inappropriate. I knew a great deal to take in to my next job." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually carried on in April and Klopp was seeking a brand-new associate. Of course, he yearned for Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders remained in the garden with his better half Danielle and also mommy when his phone rang. It was actually Klopp, and also Danielle inquired what decision concerned. "He told me our experts're visiting conquer the world," Lijnders said to her.Just 19 days after he left NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant manager was revealed on June 5." We all recognize there's a widely known phrase: 'You can easily discover more from beats than from consistent success,'" Klopp points out. "I'm not exactly sure it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was an actual defeat, but it wasn't well prepared, I believe our company can claim that. We didn't communicate a whole lot regarding it, it was actually not needed. I was actually simply delighted he went back." A golden returnPep Lijnders as well as Jurgen Klopp position with the FA Cup and also the Carabao Mug prize in the course of the Liverpool procession on Might 29, 2022. ( Image through Jan Kruger/Getty Graphics) Over the upcoming couple of years, Klopp as well as Lijnders would certainly obtain impressive excellence with each other at Liverpool. The glorious instant was the 2019 Champions League ultimate gain Tottenham Hotspur, but that was only some of a lot of trophies featuring the 2019-20 Premier League label, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club Globe Mug, and also 2022 as well as 2024 League Cups.Lijnders was there for all the key instants, both in the public eye and also in the darkness as they sketched their success. He was linguist on the call when Klopp was making an effort to convince Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the club in January 2022, as well as remembers sitting in Klopp's home kitchen attempting to exercise exactly how to urge centre-back Virgil vehicle Dijk to sign from Southampton in January 2018. However via all the joy as well as problems, the work took its toll. And just before the 2023-24 season began, Klopp as well as Lijnders began to prepare for the finishing point." It was actually taking place in the [2023] summertime, [with] an extremely complicated year behind our team," Lijnders claims of a project where the group finished 5th and were actually knocked out of the Champions League in the around of 16. "Our company were happy our company gained the final eight, nine activities of the season, we still mosted likely to Europe. Our team transformed the system Trent went extra inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer season our experts already covered if it was actually the right time to go, or if it was the correct time to proceed. Our company pointed out 'yes, our team'll perform another year as well as our company'll see in January.' But by November-time, Ju00fcrgen said: 'I am actually carried out.' And also I mentioned, 'Yes if that's the case, it's opportunity for me to go also.' I have actually possessed a number of, nice deals in the last few years, yet I desired to finish the venture with him. My link is really tough with him: he's a brother, a father, a mentor. Beyond my family and closest pals, he knows me much better than anybody." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the ultimate time as they defeat Wolves 2-0. After being out on the pitch, taking in the unfiltered worship, positioning for many pictures, he located themself back in the abdomens of Anfield as well as there was an uncommon minute of peaceful." We will had Louise Dobson, the group supervisor, informing our team where to go and when, as well as we were actually therefore touched [due to the occasions]," he says. "Ultimately, it was only Pep as well as me. Our company possessed rips in our eyes. We understood our experts were blessed at the same time because in our organization, you come in via the main door as well as they press you out the back entrance. Our team were actually blessed as well as our team might head out via the main door. Our team composed a manual all together and that was the last section. And also we delighted in that as much [as our company might] considering that you know it is actually not forever. That's life." After an evening partying, and also, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family members dominating the dancing flooring, attention counted on the future. Lijnders had already been actually fielding enthusiasm from clubs keen to talk with him regarding upcoming opportunities, and also he knew it was time for his family members to experience something brand new." You have 10 years in Liverpool, in Formby, a little village, you have whatever there certainly, right?" he claims. "Therefore my boys know nothing at all besides England, Liverpool and the club. They presume every coliseum feels like Anfield." Lijnders only spoke with clubs who will see him in person in Formby, as well as each opportunity he 'd look for specific assurances. However it was actually Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that seduced him. The crew had survived a hard 2023-24 campaign, which found then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and gained the normal period however completed second in the Champion Round to Sturm Graz to end their first trophyless time in a decade.After a visit to Salzburg to check out the club face to face, Lijnders' wife Danielle looked to their youngest boy, Romijn, as well as asked: "What do you consider Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I skip it already." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has made Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Spot Donaldson as well as Janusz Michallik discuss exactly how Liverpool boss Arne Port is acquiring the greatest out of his team, in particular Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 draw Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg beat FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to apply for the Champions League group stage. "We would like to be actually the crew that can easily trump anybody on earth," Lijnders points out. "Are our experts there however? No, certainly not ... we've just started. But I want the fans to believe, "alright, this is actually the brand-new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing theory heavily inherent, Lijnders additionally wishes his Salzburg to drown the adversary. "You can easily play a prevalent style of soccer, where you can easily possess the reception in the challenger's half a whole lot," he includes. "Our team are youthful, we excel, our experts teem with bravado. Our experts don't yearn for the enemy to have any time. There is actually a great deal ability below, a great deal electricity, a lot young people. "Our company have a smaller squad, 16 or 17 players, and that gives us area for the academy." Along with a trademark of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Football coming from tomorrow] as well as a past history of world-class gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and also Dayot Upamecano having actually come through the ranks, the club's concentration is quite on young people the oldest players in the team are actually goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) and also Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the earliest outfield gamers are 25. Since Lijnders participated in, Salzburg have already overruned his old club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and also Bobby Clark on car loan, while the brand new supervisor likewise carried trainers Vitor Matos as well as Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The wild fellas coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The aged Liverpool coaches still have their WhatsApp team accessible it's knowned as the "Ruby Dogs," influenced through Apple TV program Ted Lasso. When Salzburg stage show, the conversation is actually as active as ever before, along with Klopp always keeping a shut eye on just how Lijnders is actually making out." Everybody along with a little a regulation football eye can easily see his influence," Klopp mentions. "I like this pleasant mix of true strength, a very clear tip and ownership. I told him after a game lately, you can find this crew has an excellent instructor. That is actually just how I determine instructors my entire life-- you check out the video games, and after that you ponder that trainers all of them. They participate in properly. I assume it is actually a great deal for him at Salzburg. It is actually thus intelligent coming from him, and it's so wise from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization season began with four triumphes, a draw and also a defeat, yet it has actually additionally viewed harmful reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and also Brest (4-0) in the Champions Organization. He obtained some criticism for picking up teams against Sparta and also Austria Wien without any Austrian gamers in the lineup, however Lijnders understands there will definitely be actually opportunities when form drops and tension increases. He will follow his concepts which have served him effectively until now." It's black as well as alone when you do not succeed, and also when you get into such a period, it can be black, alone as well as unpleasant," he claims. "However when you are actually training on the field, aiding gamers improve, I will never get tired of that. In those moments you need to hang on to what creates you, as a player, as well as a coach." Every coach will undergo challenging time periods, however there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I recognize I play with higher threat, yet also high incentive. That's who I am actually. There are pair of matches in soccer. There's the complement on the scoreboard, as well as the second suit is your identity. You can shed one, but you'll never ever lose the 2nd suit." I hope you'll observe Salzburg pushing and chasing the opponent around the whole entire sound, and from all directions. Yet above all, they are actually performing it with each other, for life." Added coverage: Sanne vehicle Dongen as well as Milan vehicle Dongen.