.Tom Hamilton, Senior Citizen WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Signed up with ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered 2 Olympics, a set of Rugby World Cups and pair of British & Irish Lions scenic tours u2022 Earlier rugby editor, and also came to be elderly author in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand-new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked boxes on the floor consist of moments of his experience from mentoring student at PSV to ending up being Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal partner" at Liverpool, as Klopp calls it. There are bordered photographes, t shirts and match spheres coming from the numerous finals he assisted the staff reach.But there is actually another memento he values above all as it summarizes what he's passionate about developing youth, and seeing them prosper on football's greatest stage. Alongside among the suit spheres coming from the 2019 Champions Organization ultimate is actually a photograph from the celebrations after Liverpool's victory. It is actually a photo of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold bordered it as well as inflicted him when Lijnders quit Liverpool together with Klopp in May. The caption reads: "This is my preferred image people, also. Thank you for definitely whatever. Without you, none of it was achievable. Trent." Lijnders has actually got web pages as well as web pages of instruction sessions dating back 20 years. His journey began in 2002 as young people coach at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, then in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool rates to end up being a coach under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, before he made a decision to try his very own throughout a chastening spell as NEC Nijmegen manager in 2018. He went back to Liverpool six months later along with fantastic effectiveness and also, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "inspiration for the last 9 years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually currently embarking on yet another trip at FC Salzburg, hoping to channel effects like Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch "Complete Soccer," Italian speculative and also AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his very own theory as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp puts it. But this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and he is actually certainly not staying under Klopp's wing.The pathway coming from associate under a famous supervisor to manager in your personal right is actually a well-trodden one. There are results tales: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection project and also has done exceptionally effectively in a quick space of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before breaking out on his personal to become one of the most successful managers of all time brand new Chelsea employer Enzo Maresca worked under Guardiola while the wonderful Joe Fagan took what he learned from epic duo Costs Shankly and Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet then there are the deterrent examples 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 flourished under Robson and Alan Pardew at Newcastle but fell through when he took charge as sitter in 2015. Therefore, it's with that background of changability that Lijnders is going it alone at Salzburg. He wants his team to become known for his blueprint of footballing "intensity." Yet he won't be given too long a moratorium. His crew have actually helped make a determined beginning-- gaining 8 coming from 14 activities, but shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday-- as well as while it is actually a team renowned for youth advancement, the fans expect excellence provided last time was their initial without flatware for a many years." We are actually making an effort to produce a team that can trump anybody in globe soccer," Lijnders informed ESPN NL in August. "Are our company certainly there however? No, never. However we perform program." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders helped Jurgen Klopp develop one of the very best Liverpool crews in the past of the nightclub. ( Picture by John Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Lijnders' playing job as a cussed midfielder for neighborhood amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German perimeter was actually cut short at 17 years of ages as a result of an ACL injury. He went to the Central Institute for Athletics Innovator Training (CIOS) to examine and started operating at PSV Eindhoven, receiving the only mentoring instruction available to trainees on the training course. As he juggled his studies and his project at PSV, he also took charge of SVEB's gets, where he to begin with made an effort to implement his theory: a mix of "Complete Soccer" (a fluid football unit reassuring positional interchangeability promoted through Cruyff) and also relentless counter-pressing." I possessed the feeling players came to life when I coached, which gives you confidence," he says.The apprenticeship along with PSV was suggested to be a five-year task, however he was actually rewarded a full-time arrangement after 3 years, and also devoted the next two years flitting in between the USA and the Netherlands along with fellow instructor Frans Hoek while establishing abilities like Cody Gakpo and Jordan Teze. He gained from the epic Guus Hiddink when he was PSV train from 2002 to 2006 and also informs ESPN: "Guus provided colour to Dutch soccer in the method Ju00fcrgen offered colour to German soccer." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed interest coming from MTK Budapest, but occupied a deal at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- marvelled at through Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and also countless others-- was actually an educational institution professor who was actually additionally assistant supervisor at Porto as well as the father of military periodisation (basically utilizing training as a mirror for match intensity and rhythm, rather than a segregated exercise). Lijnders remembers their planned developments during the time and breaks into a large smile, referencing a flying photograph he has of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's setup where he deployed entirely wingers on the flanks and also no full-backs. Back then it blew his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade term for the club's strategy to re-think the institute's relationship with the first string. "I qualified all the teams-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the afternoon, as well as U12 and U11 at night," he states. "At times I 'd have 40 gamers, yet I really did not communicate a term of Portuguese." Even with that barrier, Porto developed. The nightclub taken by means of skills like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and also Diogo Dalot. There was additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player who captained Lijnders' youth teams at Porto, served as translator, as well as someone who Lijnders wrote that he "adores to little bits" in his 2022 manual "Strength."" That's why I really love soccer a lot," Lijnders mentions. "The connection you shape along with the players. If that bond isn't there, there's no other way to success." He was actually appeared out by Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as an achievable enhancement to Ferguson's backroom team at Male United, but that broke down when Ferguson retired in the end of that time. As well as through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a brand new difficulty. While studying for his UEFA coaching logos under the advice of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had looked for a young people instructor openings at Liverpool task, so the club delivered U23 supervisor Michael Beale and also institute director Alex Inglethorpe to listen to among his discussions. It did the job: "Michael stated to me, 'Pepijn, you're certainly not flying back to Porto, you are actually possessing me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' essential skills was supporting as well as identifying institute talent prior to giving them an opportunity to rise with the positions. ( Photograph by Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Photos) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that evening, was set up in a lodging, and also for three times they talked. It found yourself with Liverpool providing Lijnders a contract to organize the U16 and also U15s: a team that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and, significantly, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was promoted to a task with the first team under Rodgers, but when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the club's managers Fenway Athletics Group) asked Lijnders to keep Liverpool's training ground Melwood beating over while they worked at Klopp. Obviously, when the German consumed there were no assurances he was actually mosting likely to keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' staff had actually left already, however Gordon inquired the brand new manager to go on a couple of coaches coming from the previous regime. Klopp still had last word, yet was open to the idea.The initially was actually John Achtenberg. "Great, considering that I failed to have a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp don't forgets telling Gordon. He asked his new manager: "What carries out the various other man carry out?" Gordon pointed out Lijnders was actually a "technical instructor" a professional in tiding over between young people and also first string." In Germany, no person purchases a train like that," Klopp informs ESPN. "They 'd say, 'You prefer a 2nd associate of what? What are you performing?' So, I liked the idea a great deal." It was a luxury to Klopp, yet he still really did not understand much regarding this youthful Dutch instructor. Therefore on his opening night at the club, the new-look Liverpool management encountered for dinner in the Hope Road Lodging. Klopp had his counted on staff Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz certainly there with him, but he would like to learn more about the brand new faces. Achtenberg rested to one side of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually essentially really love at first sight," Klopp claims of Lijnders. "I saw his interest for everything." Klopp likewise saw how much Lijnders respected him. "I don't find on my own as an extraordinary instructor," he states. "I know some folks somehow think that, and also you could possibly view it in Pep's eyes. You can view him believe, 'I a lot better listen.' That is actually exactly how it started. Due to the end, we were actually identical partners." play1:40 Michallik: Port producing Liverpool's post-Klopp shift painlessJanusz Michallik points out the largest favor you may pay Arne Port is actually that he is actually quit experts speaking about life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' first role under Klopp was as best progression trainer. He adores flipcharts as well as each element of his planned vision was actually jotted down on these substantial pieces of paper. Klopp bears in mind those very early conferences, and exactly how whenever he will talk, he 'd hear Lijnders' marker jotting away, writing every little thing he said.At this stage, Klopp contacted Buvac the "brain" and Krawietz the "eye." Chatting in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp mentioned: "Pep has actually come to be unbelievably significant quickly considering that he writes every thing down. He is actually likewise aspect of 'the brain' since he is our mind to remember the many things what our company performed in previous treatments ... I received the Dutch train that was actually resisted to ownership! Dutch soccer is actually possession-based: it's Overall Soccer, Cruyff. Yet he was actually a counter-pressing creature. I enjoyed his enjoyment as well as the method he gets out of the saddle when he speaks about soccer." Some of his greatest payments during that very first period at Liverpool came in poking Klopp to provide some of the academy gamers a chance in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold some of the first ensured in 2016 at the age of 18." I can create a book concerning the minute he to begin with told me regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp informs ESPN. "Our team opened the door Trent ran throughout it. His right foot is actually ridiculous. The Trent highlights online video is actually foolish. You do not require the goals, it is actually the passes, you watch the successfully pases as well as assume 'Exactly how is that achievable?' It's a fully various sporting activity." Lijnders likewise had a major effect in bridging the gap between first team and institute. "I gained from him," Klopp adds. "He opened my mind for various traits in football. As all of us get older, the span in between you and also the age of the player group grows. My pair of children maintained me in contact keeping that generation, but certainly, the next generation of world-class instructors are actually actually on the market. There's always modify, growth as well as enhancement. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders had a brief job at Dutch edge NEC Nijmegen prior to returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Photograph through Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders took over much more duty: organizing training as well as the routine around fits. Off the pitch, both routinely played padel and also became very close friends.Liverpool ended up fourth in 2016-17 but, midway via the observing project, Lijnders was being actually sounded out regarding a head-coach placement of his own spine in the Netherlands. Interested to return to his home to become along with his father as he battled cancer, the 34-year-old made a decision to take the top work at then-second division side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His goal was actually to get promotion back to the Eredivisie, yet it confirmed to be an unfortunate incantation and they lost in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the function, he left through common contract on Might 17." I have actually always taken complete responsibility and also never said a bad term regarding NEC," Lijnders points out. "It is actually an attractive club, yet in some cases the time is not right. At times there is no click on, or even at times you join a nightclub where you need perseverance. Yet I take duty. I don't wish to say too much concerning it, given that every little thing I mention can find inappropriate. I found out a great deal to take right into my next task." Back at Anfield, Buvac had gone on in April as well as Klopp was actually looking for a brand-new associate. Of course, he yearned for Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders remained in the garden along with his better half Danielle as well as mother when his phone called. It was Klopp, and also Danielle asked what the call had to do with. "He told me our company are actually heading to conquer the globe," Lijnders said to her.Just 19 days after he left behind NEC, Lijnders' consultation as Klopp's assistant supervisor was revealed on June 5." We all recognize there's a famous expression: 'You can find out more coming from beats than from constant success,'" Klopp states. "I am actually uncertain it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was a genuine loss, however it wasn't effectively ready, I presume our company may say that. We didn't communicate a great deal regarding it, it was not important. I was actually simply thankful he came back." A gold returnPep Lijnders and also Jurgen Klopp pose along with the FA Cup and the Carabao Mug prize during the Liverpool parade on Might 29, 2022. ( Photo through Jan Kruger/Getty Photos) Over the following couple of years, Klopp as well as Lijnders would achieve outstanding success all together at Liverpool. The crowning minute was actually the 2019 Champions Organization last win over Tottenham Hotspur, yet that was actually simply some of a number of prizes consisting of the 2019-20 Premier Game label, 2022 FA Cup, 2019 Group Globe Mug, and 2022 as well as 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders was there for all the essential moments, both in the public eye as well as in the darkness as they plotted their excellence. He was linguist on decision when Klopp was actually trying to encourage Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to participate in the group in January 2022, and bears in mind being in Klopp's kitchen attempting to work out just how to urge centre-back Virgil van Dijk to sign from Southampton in January 2018. Yet with all the delight and also misfortunes, the job took its cost. And just before the 2023-24 time began, Klopp and Lijnders started to prepare for the finishing factor." It was taking place in the [2023] summertime, [with] a very challenging year responsible for our company," Lijnders points out of a campaign where the club ended up 5th and were knocked out of the Champions Game in the around of 16. "Our company enjoyed our team won the final eight, 9 activities of the season, our experts still went to Europe. We changed the body Trent went extra inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer our experts currently explained if it was the right time to go, or if it was the correct time to proceed. Our experts pointed out 'yes, our team'll carry out another year as well as we'll see in January.' However by November-time, Ju00fcrgen pointed out: 'I am actually done.' As well as I said, 'Yes if that's the case, it is actually opportunity for me to go as well.' I have actually possessed a number of, pleasant offers in recent times, but I intended to end up the job with him. My connection is actually extremely tough along with him: he is actually a brother, a dad, an advisor. Beyond my family members and also closest good friends, he knows me much better than anyone." On May 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the last opportunity as they defeat Wolves 2-0. After being out on the sound, penetrating the unfiltered adulation, posturing for a great number of photographs, he located himself back in the insides of Anfield and there was actually an uncommon moment of peaceful." Our team will possessed Louise Dobson, the team supervisor, telling our company where to go and also when, and also our company were therefore touched [by the parties]," he mentions. "Ultimately, it was actually only Pep and me. Our team possessed tears in our eyes. We knew our team were actually honored also since in our company, you come in by means of the main door and also they press you out the back door. We were actually blessed and also we might walk out by means of the front door. We wrote a publication all together and that was actually the last chapter. As well as our team delighted in that as a lot [as we could] since you recognize it's not forever. That's lifestyle." After an evening partying, as well as, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family members dominating the dancing floor, attention counted on the future. Lijnders had actually presently been picking up interest from nightclubs keen to talk to him concerning forthcoming opportunities, as well as he recognized it was opportunity for his household to experience one thing new." You possess one decade in Liverpool, in Formby, a little community, you have whatever there, right?" he says. "So my kids recognize nothing at all apart from England, Liverpool as well as the nightclub. They believe every stadium is like Anfield." Lijnders just spoke to nightclubs that would certainly visit him in person in Formby, as well as each opportunity he 'd try to find certain warranties. Yet it was Austrian Bundesliga side FC Salzburg that seduced him. The crew had sustained a difficult 2023-24 project, which viewed then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as succeeded the regular time however ended up second in the Championship Round to Sturm Graz to end their very first trophyless season in a decade.After a browse through to Salzburg to check out the club personally, Lijnders' better half Danielle turned to their youngest child, Romijn, as well as asked: "What perform you think of Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I overlook it presently." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has made Luis Du00edaz a much better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson as well as Janusz Michallik review exactly how Liverpool manager Arne Port is actually getting the greatest out of his squad, specifically Luis Du00edaz, following their 3-0 win over Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg trumped FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to receive the Champions Category group phase. "Our company desire to be actually the team that can beat any person on earth," Lijnders points out. "Are our company there however? No, obviously not ... our experts've only begun. But I wish the followers to presume, "ok, this is actually the brand-new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing theory deeply embedded, Lijnders additionally prefers his Salzburg to asphyxiate the adversary. "You can easily participate in a leading type of football, where you may possess the reception in the rival's half a whole lot," he adds. "Our company are actually younger, our experts are talented, our team have lots of bravado. We don't want the rival to possess whenever. There is a lot ability right here, so much electricity, a great deal youth. "Our company possess a smaller squad, 16 or 17 gamers, which provides our team space for the institute." Along with a mantra of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Soccer from tomorrow] and also a record of world-class players like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and Dayot Upamecano having happened through the rankings, the club's focus is very much on youth the oldest gamers in the team are actually goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) and Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the earliest outfield players are 25. Given that Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have actually actually plundered his aged nightclub to authorize midfielders Stefan Bajcetic as well as Bobby Clark on funding, while the new supervisor likewise took trainers Vitor Matos as well as Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The mad guys from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Upward Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool coaches still possess their WhatsApp group open it is actually referred to as the "Diamond Dogs," inspired through Apple TV show Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the chat is as active as ever, along with Klopp keeping a close eye on exactly how Lijnders is actually getting on." Everybody along with a little a football eye can see his effect," Klopp claims. "I like this great mix of real intensity, a very clear idea and things. I told him after a game recently, you may find this team has a really good coach. That's exactly how I evaluate instructors my entire life-- you watch the games, and afterwards you question who trainers all of them. They participate in effectively. I believe it is actually a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It's so intelligent from him, as well as it's so intelligent coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's league time started along with 4 success, a draw and also a defeat, however it has actually additionally viewed detrimental reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and also Brest (4-0) in the Champions League. He got some objection for fielding teams against Sparta as well as Austria Wien with no Austrian gamers in the lineup, yet Lijnders understands there are going to be actually opportunities when form sags and also stress rises. He will stay with his concepts which have offered him properly until now." It is actually darker and also alone when you don't win, and also when you get involved in such a period, it could be black, lonesome and unpleasant," he claims. "However when you're qualifying on the industry, assisting gamers boost, I will never ever get tired of that. In those seconds you have to hang on to what creates you, as a gamer, as well as an instructor." Every coach will certainly go through challenging periods, however there's nothing at all incorrect with that. I understand I enjoy with high risk, but likewise higher reward. That's who I am. There are two paireds in football. There is actually the complement on the scoreboard, and also the second fit is your identification. You can shed one, but you'll never shed the 2nd match." I hope you'll observe Salzburg pressing and chasing after the rival all over the whole pitch, and also coming from all directions. However most importantly, they're doing it all together, for life." Added reporting: Sanne vehicle Dongen as well as Milan truck Dongen.