Pepijn Lijnders reveals contact with FSG regarding Liverpool manager’s job – Liverpool FC

With him now confirmed to take over as manager at RB Salzburg, Pepijn Lijnders has revealed how Liverpool’s owners “really felt” he should replace Jurgen Klopp.

There has long been a general view that once Klopp leaves Liverpool, his assistant manager Lijnders will be a good candidate to take over.

It was a bit of a surprise then, when his name was immediately ruled out after Klopp announced his departure in January. Instead, the role was given to fellow Dutchman Arne Slot.

Speaking to The Athletic, Lijnders has now revealed that Liverpool’s owners were “really considering” him for the job.

The coach recalled how FSG president Mike Gordon called him in early February and said: “‘Pepe, we’ve really considered you, but I think it’s fair for you that we don’t put you behind Jurgen’.”

The coach also talked about how Klopp asked him if he intends to take over the reins of Liverpool after the German’s departure.

“Jurgen has asked me about it several times in recent years. The season before I was asked by Jurgen and twice this season, but each time I said ‘no’,” the 41-year-old added.

“The first reason was that I really felt that this was ‘our’ project. Jurgen guided it and I really felt that we should finish this project together. Secondly, I’ve been in Liverpool for almost 10 years.

“I was ready for a new experience: new people, my staff, my players. I gave everything I had to this gaming group. I think the team would have continued in the same way if I had stayed here.

“I feel that the team also needs something new. But I never knew 100 percent what my response would be if Mike Gordon called me. You say ‘no, no, no’, but then…”

Lijnders previously had a brief foray into management, at NEC Nijmegen in 2018, but only lasted half a season before returning to Merseyside.

He now heads to Salzburg with more experience and clearer principles about how he wants his teams to play.

In Austria, he will take over a club in good health, but one that has only finished second after winning the title in the previous 10 consecutive years.