Pep Guardiola wants ex-Liverpool favourite as new Manchester City coach
Liverpool finished the season 13 points ahead of Manchester City, who are set to revamp their coaching staff already.
City failed to make it five Premier League titles in a row, as the Reds ramped away to be crowned winners at the end of April.
Arne Slot’s team were dominant, as they also finished ten points ahead of Arsenal in second.
Now, City and Pep Guardiola are looking at two ex-Liverpool men as they look to revamp their backroom staff at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Lijnders may join Guardiola at Manchester City
According to Fabrizio Romano, Pep Lijnders is under consideration to join Guardiola’s backroom staff.
The news comes after City confirmed the departures of assistant coaches Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens.
Lijnders joined Liverpool in 2014, initially as development coach under Brendan Rodgers.
The Dutchman then became a first-team coach under Jurgen Klopp, where he helped the Reds win their sixth Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following season.
At the end of last season, it was announced that Lijnders would be leaving Anfield alongside Klopp.
In May 2024, he joined Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, where he was sacked after 29 games in charge.
Lijnders has been linked with a return to coaching, with City the latest club interested, with Kolo Toure also mentioned as a possible option.
Toure helped City to a first league title in 44 years when they won it in the 2011/12 season, before joining Liverpool on a free in May 2013.
Man City move would ruin Lijnders’ Liverpool legacy
If Lijnders joins Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, it could ruin his legacy that he built at Anfield, where he was a key part of the success under Klopp and is well-respected.
Reds fans have already reacted negatively to boyhood fan Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving on a free, ahead of his expected move to Real Madrid.
A move to a Premier League title contender could cause fans to turn on Lijnders and create a toxic atmosphere when the coach returns to Anfield.
However, turning down a move to a title contender and the chance to work under a top manager in Guardiola would be difficult for anyone.
Regaining respect as a coach after such a poor managerial spell would help Lijnders, but wouldn’t be worth ruining his Liverpool legacy.