.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Signed up with ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with two Olympics, a set of Rugby Planet Cups and also two British & Irish Lions excursions u2022 Earlier rugby editor, as well as became senior author in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked cartons on the floor contain moments of his trip from training apprentice at PSV to coming to be Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal partner" at Liverpool, as Klopp phones it. There are framed photographes, t-shirts as well as suit spheres coming from the a number of finals he assisted the staff reach.But there is another keepsake he values above all as it sums up what he's zealous regarding creating youth, and finding all of them thrive on football's most significant stage. Alongside some of the complement rounds coming from the 2019 Champions League final is a photograph coming from the occasions after Liverpool's victory. It is actually a photograph of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold mounted it as well as inflicted him when Lijnders left Liverpool along with Klopp in May. The inscription checks out: "This is my favourite picture people, also. Thanks for positively whatever. Without you, none of it was possible. Trent." Lijnders has actually got web pages as well as webpages of training treatments going back 20 years. His quest began in 2002 as youth train at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, then in 2014 he worked through the Liverpool rates to end up being a train under Brendan Rodgers as well as Klopp, before he determined to wear his very own during a chastening spell as NEC Nijmegen manager in 2018. He went back to Liverpool six months later with great success and, as Klopp informed ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "inspiration for the last nine years." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is currently starting one more quest at FC Salzburg, wanting to channel impacts like Johan Cruyff, the daddy of Dutch "Overall Soccer," Italian ideal and air conditioning Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his personal theory as a "counter-pressing creature," as Klopp puts it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and he's certainly not staying under Klopp's wing.The pathway coming from aide under a well-known manager to supervisor in your personal right is a well-trodden one. There are actually results stories: Mikel Arteta left behind Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection task and also has carried out unbelievably effectively in a short area of your time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before breaking out on his own to become one of one of the most productive managers of perpetuity brand-new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca functioned under Guardiola while the terrific Joe Fagan took what he picked up from legendary duo Costs Shankly and Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. However then there are the cautionary tales as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson John Carver prospered under Robson as well as Alan Pardew at Newcastle but bombed when he took charge as caretaker in 2015. So, it's with that said record of unpredictability that Lijnders is going it alone at Salzburg. He prefers his group to be known for his blueprint of footballing "intensity." However he won't be actually provided very long a moratorium. His team have actually made a gauged begin-- succeeding eight coming from 14 activities, but dropping 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Game on Tuesday-- and while it's a group renowned for youth development, the followers count on effectiveness provided final season was their initial without cutlery for a years." Our company're attempting to generate a team that can defeat anybody in world volleyball," Lijnders said to ESPN NL in August. "Are we there certainly however? No, absolutely not. However our team get on program." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp construct some of the very best Liverpool staffs in the history of the nightclub. ( Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Lijnders' playing career as a cussed midfielder for nearby amateur nightclub SVEB on the Dutch-German boundary was actually shortened at 17 years of ages due to an ACL injury. He headed to the Central Principle for Athletics Forerunner Instruction (CIOS) to examine and also began operating at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only training instruction on offer to trainees on the course. As he juggled his researches and his work at PSV, he likewise took charge of SVEB's gets, where he to begin with attempted to execute his approach: a mix of "Complete Regulation Football" (a fluid soccer body motivating positional interchangeability promoted by Cruyff) as well as unrelenting counter-pressing." I had the sensation gamers revived when I trained, which gives you self-confidence," he says.The apprenticeship along with PSV was actually suggested to be a five-year project, however he was awarded a full-time arrangement after 3 years, and also spent the next pair of years flitting between the United States and also the Netherlands along with fellow coach Frans Hoek while creating skills like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He picked up from the legendary Guus Hiddink when he was actually PSV trainer coming from 2002 to 2006 and also tells ESPN: "Guus provided colour to Dutch football in the means Ju00fcrgen gave colour to German football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed passion from MTK Budapest, however occupied an arrangement at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every phrase. Frade-- appreciated by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and many others-- was an educational institution instructor who was actually likewise assistant manager at Porto and the father of planned periodisation (basically utilizing instruction as a looking glass for match strength as well as rhythm, rather than a separated exercise). Lijnders remembers their planned developments at the moment as well as breaks into a wide smile, referencing an airborne picture he possesses of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's setup where he set up exclusively wingers on the flanks and also no full-backs. Back then it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders operated to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," an umbrella term for the club's program to re-think the institute's relationship with the first team. "I taught all the teams-- U19 in the early morning, U15 in the mid-day, as well as U12 and also U11 in the evening," he mentions. "Often I will have 40 gamers, yet I really did not communicate a term of Portuguese." Despite that barrier, Porto grew. The club taken via skills like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was likewise midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer who captained Lijnders' young people crews at Porto, acted as explainer, and a person who Lijnders wrote that he "loves to little bits" in his 2022 manual "Magnitude."" That's why I enjoy football a great deal," Lijnders says. "The connection you shape along with the players. If that bond isn't there, there is actually no chance to effectiveness." He was seemed out by Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as a possible add-on to Ferguson's backroom workers at Man United, yet that collapsed when Ferguson retired in the end of that period. And also through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a brand-new difficulty. While analyzing for his UEFA training logos under the guidance of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had gotten a young people instructor job at Liverpool project, so the nightclub sent U23 supervisor Michael Beale and academy director Alex Inglethorpe to listen to among his discussions. It got the job done: "Michael said to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually certainly not soaring back to Porto, you're featuring me to Liverpool.'" One of Pep Lijnders' crucial skill-sets was actually supporting as well as recognizing academy skill just before providing an opportunity to climb with the positions. ( Picture by Cees vehicle Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Pictures) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that evening, was actually set up in an accommodation, as well as for three times they talked. It ended up along with Liverpool providing Lijnders an agreement to organize the U16 as well as U15s: a group that featured Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, as well as, especially, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summer season Lijnders was ensured to a task with the first team under Rodgers, but when the Northern Irishman was sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the group's proprietors Fenway Sports Team) asked Lijnders to maintain Liverpool's training school Melwood beating over while they pursued Klopp. Certainly, when the German consumed there were actually no promises he was going to maintain Lijnders. Several of Rodgers' staff had actually left presently, yet Gordon inquired the brand-new manager to continue a couple of trainers from the previous regime. Klopp still had last word, however was open to the idea.The initially was John Achtenberg. "Great, since I didn't possess a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp keeps in mind informing Gordon. He asked his brand-new boss: "What performs the various other man carry out?" Gordon claimed Lijnders was actually a "technical train" a pro in bridging the gap in between young people as well as first team." In Germany, nobody pays for a trainer like that," Klopp informs ESPN. "They 'd mention, 'You want a second aide of what? What are you carrying out?' Thus, I ased if the tip a great deal." It was a high-end to Klopp, yet he still failed to recognize a lot concerning this younger Dutch trainer. So on his first night at the club, the new-look Liverpool administration met for supper in the Hope Street Lodging. Klopp had his relied on staff Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz certainly there along with him, yet he wished to understand the new faces. Achtenberg sat away of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually more or less like at first sight," Klopp points out of Lijnders. "I viewed his enthusiasm for whatever." Klopp likewise saw how much Lijnders valued him. "I do not find myself as a remarkable train," he states. "I recognize some people by chance think that, as well as you could view it in Pep's eyes. You might find him think, 'I much better pay attention.' That's how it started. By the end, our company were identical companions." play1:40 Michallik: Port producing Liverpool's post-Klopp shift painlessJanusz Michallik points out the greatest favor you may pay for Arne Slot is actually that he is actually stopped experts speaking about life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' first part under Klopp was actually as elite progression instructor. He loves flipcharts and each aspect of his military sight was documented on these vast pieces of paper. Klopp don't forgets those very early meetings, and how whenever he 'd speak, he will hear Lijnders' pen scribbling away, taking down every thing he said.At this phase, Klopp phoned Buvac the "human brain" and Krawietz the "eye." Speaking in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp pointed out: "Pep has actually become amazingly necessary quickly since he writes every thing down. He is actually likewise component of 'the mind' since he is our thoughts to bear in mind the things what we performed in previous sessions ... I received the Dutch trainer that was resisted to ownership! Dutch regulation football is actually possession-based: it's Complete Soccer, Cruyff. However he was a counter-pressing creature. I adored his enjoyment and the technique he avoids the saddle when he speaks about soccer." One of his best contributions because first time period at Liverpool can be found in poking Klopp to provide several of the academy players a possibility in the first team, along with Alexander-Arnold among the very first promoted in 2016 at the age of 18." I could create a manual about the instant he to begin with told me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp tells ESPN. "We opened the door Trent managed right through it. His right foot is actually foolish. The Trent highlights video recording is preposterous. You do not need to have the targets, it's the successfully pases, you check out the elapseds as well as think 'How is that possible?' It's an entirely different sporting activity." Lijnders also possessed a big effect in bridging the gap between first string as well as academy. "I gained from him," Klopp incorporates. "He opened my thoughts for various things in regulation football. As all of us grow older, the span between you and the age of the player team grows. My 2 boys maintained me in touch keeping that production, but of course, the future generation of world-class trainers are currently available. There's always change, advancement and also renovation. Pep opened my eyes for those sort of things.Pep Lijnders possessed a short assignment at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen prior to rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Picture by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC using Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders took over extra responsibility: considering instruction as well as the routine around complements. Off the sound, the two regularly played padel and ended up being unbelievably close friends.Liverpool ended up fourth in 2016-17 however, midway by means of the observing initiative, Lijnders was being actually appeared out concerning a head-coach setting of his very own back in the Netherlands. Interested to return to his birthplace to become with his papa as he fought cancer cells, the 34-year-old decided to take the leading task at then-second division side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His objective was to protect promotion back to the Eredivisie, but it proved to become an untoward spell and also they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over five months in the task, he left behind by shared deal on Might 17." I have actually consistently taken complete duty and also never claimed a negative phrase concerning NEC," Lijnders points out. "It's a beautiful nightclub, however often the timing is actually wrong. Often there is no hit, or at times you join a club where you need to have patience. But I take task. I do not wish to say a lot of regarding it, since whatever I claim could come upon wrong. I learnt a great deal to take in to my upcoming work." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually carried on in April as well as Klopp was searching for a brand-new assistant. Of course, he preferred Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders resided in the garden with his partner Danielle and mother when his phone rang. It was actually Klopp, and also Danielle asked what the call concerned. "He informed me our experts are actually mosting likely to conquer the globe," Lijnders told her.Just 19 days after he left NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant supervisor was announced on June 5." Most of us understand there is actually a famous saying: 'You may discover more coming from defeats than from steady victory,'" Klopp claims. "I am actually not exactly sure it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was actually an actual defeat, but it wasn't effectively ready, I presume our experts can state that. Our company really did not speak a lot about it, it was not important. I was simply glad he returned." A golden returnPep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp posture with the FA Cup and also the Carabao Mug trophy in the course of the Liverpool march on May 29, 2022. ( Picture through Jan Kruger/Getty Pictures) Over the upcoming couple of years, Klopp and Lijnders would certainly accomplish amazing effectiveness together at Liverpool. The glorious instant was the 2019 Champions Game last gain Tottenham Hotspur, but that was just some of a variety of prizes featuring the 2019-20 Premier Game title, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club Planet Cup, as well as 2022 and 2024 Organization Cups.Lijnders was there for all the crucial moments, both in the public eye as well as in the shadows as they outlined their effectiveness. He was actually linguist on decision when Klopp was actually trying to encourage Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to participate in the club in January 2022, and keeps in mind partaking Klopp's kitchen attempting to exercise just how to encourage centre-back Virgil van Dijk to sign from Southampton in January 2018. But through all the delight and also troubles, the work took its own cost. And before the 2023-24 time started, Klopp and also Lijnders began to plan for the finishing point." It was actually taking place in the [2023] summer, [along with] a very hard year responsible for our team," Lijnders mentions of a project where the club completed 5th as well as were knocked senseless of the Champions Game in the sphere of 16. "We were happy we gained the final 8, nine activities of the period, our experts still headed to Europe. Our team modified the system Trent went much more inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer months our experts presently reviewed if it was actually the right time to go, or if it was actually the correct time to carry on. Our team pointed out 'yes, our experts'll perform another year and also our company'll find in January.' However through November-time, Ju00fcrgen pointed out: 'I am actually performed.' And I stated, 'Yes if that's the case, it's opportunity for me to go too.' I've had numerous, nice provides recently, however I would like to end up the task along with him. My hookup is really powerful along with him: he is actually a bro, a papa, a coach. Away from my household and also closest pals, he knows me much better than any person." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the final time as they trump Wolves 2-0. After being out on the pitch, soaking in the unfiltered adulation, positioning for many photos, he located himself back in the insides of Anfield and also there was actually a rare instant of quiet." We would certainly possessed Louise Dobson, the team manager, informing us where to go and when, as well as we were therefore touched [by the celebrations]," he states. "Eventually, it was merely Pep and also me. We possessed rips in our eyes. We knew our team were actually honored at the same time since in our organization, you come in via the frontal door and also they drive you out the back entrance. We were honored and also our experts could possibly walk out with the frontal door. We composed a book with each other which was actually the last section. And our team enjoyed that as a lot [as we might] given that you know it is actually not for good. That is actually life." After an evening partying, as well as, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family controling the dance flooring, focus counted on the future. Lijnders had presently been picking up interest from clubs keen to talk to him regarding forthcoming opportunities, as well as he knew it was opportunity for his household to experience one thing brand new." You have ten years in Liverpool, in Formby, a little village, you possess everything certainly there, right?" he points out. "Thus my boys recognize absolutely nothing apart from England, Liverpool and the nightclub. They think every stadium feels like Anfield." Lijnders simply talked with nightclubs that would see him face to face in Formby, as well as each opportunity he would certainly search for particular guarantees. However it was actually Austrian Bundesliga side FC Salzburg that attracted him. The crew had survived a challenging 2023-24 project, which viewed then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and also succeeded the regular time yet ended up second in the Championship Round to Sturm Graz to finish their 1st trophyless season in a decade.After a see to Salzburg to explore the club personally, Lijnders' wife Danielle looked to their youngest son, Romijn, and also asked: "What perform you think of Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I overlook it already." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has made Luis Du00edaz a far better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik cover exactly how Liverpool boss Arne Port is actually receiving the very best away from his squad, in particular Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 sway Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg defeated FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to get the Champions Category group phase. "We wish to be actually the team that can defeat anyone in the world," Lijnders states. "Are we certainly there yet? No, obviously certainly not ... our experts've merely started. However I really want the enthusiasts to think, "alright, this is the brand new Salzburg."" Along with his counter-pressing approach deeply inherent, Lijnders likewise wishes his Salzburg to suffocate the adversary. "You may play a dominant design of football, where you can easily possess the reception in the challenger's half a whole lot," he adds. "Our experts are actually young, our team excel, we have lots of blowing. We do not really want the rival to possess whenever. There is actually a lot ability right here, so much power, so much youth. "Our team have a smaller squad, 16 or 17 players, which gives our team space for the institute." Along with a slogan of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Football from tomorrow] and also a background of outstanding gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko as well as Dayot Upamecano having actually happened with the ranks, the club's concentration is actually significantly 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. Because Lijnders participated in, Salzburg have currently overruned his aged nightclub to authorize midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on finance, while the brand new supervisor additionally brought trainers Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The wild people coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool trainers still have their WhatsApp team accessible it is actually referred to as the "Ruby Canine," inspired through Apple television series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg stage show, the chat is as energetic as ever, with Klopp always keeping a shut eye on just how Lijnders is actually making out." Everybody along with a bit of a soccer eye can see his influence," Klopp points out. "I love this pleasant mix of genuine strength, a crystal clear suggestion as well as ownership. I told him after a video game just recently, you can easily see this staff has a great instructor. That is actually exactly how I judge trainers my whole life-- you check out the video games, and after that you question who trainers all of them. They participate in well. I presume it's a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It is actually so intelligent coming from him, and also it's so clever coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's league time started with four success, a draw as well as a defeat, but it has actually also viewed damaging losses to Sparta Prague (3-0) as well as Brest (4-0) in the Champions League. He acquired some objection for fielding groups against Sparta and Austria Wien without any Austrian players in the lineup, but Lijnders recognizes there are going to be opportunities when type sags and also stress boosts. He will definitely follow his principles which have actually served him properly so far." It is actually black and also unhappy when you don't succeed, and also when you enter such a time frame, it may be black, alone as well as awkward," he says. "However when you are actually qualifying on the area, assisting gamers enhance, I am going to never obtain tired of that. In those minutes you must hang on to what makes you, as a player, as well as a coach." Every instructor will go through tough periods, however there is actually nothing at all incorrect with that said. I understand I have fun with higher threat, however also higher perks. That's that I am. There are two matches in regulation football. There is actually the match on the scoreboard, as well as the second complement is your identity. You may lose one, but you'll never ever shed the second complement." I hope you'll observe Salzburg pressing and also chasing the opponent throughout the entire pitch, as well as from all instructions. But most importantly, they're performing it all together, for life." Extra coverage: Sanne van Dongen and Milan vehicle Dongen.