.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 pair of British & Irish Lions tours u2022 Earlier rugby editor, and also became elderly article writer in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked packages on the flooring consist of minds of his journey coming from coaching student at PSV to coming to be Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp phones it. There are framed photos, tshirts and also suit balls from the many finals he assisted the team reach.But there is actually another memento he cherishes most of all as it sums up what he's zealous concerning creating youth, as well as observing all of them flourish on football's largest phase. Alongside some of the suit rounds from the 2019 Champions Organization ultimate is a photo from the festivities after Liverpool's victory. It is a photo of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold mounted it and also gave it to him when Lijnders left Liverpool together with Klopp in May. The caption reviews: "This is my favorite photograph of us, as well. Thank you for absolutely every thing. Without you, none of it was feasible. Trent." Lijnders has obtained pages and pages of instruction sessions dating back 20 years. His experience began in 2002 as youth train at PSV, in 2006 he moved to FC Porto, at that point in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool places to become a train under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, prior to he chose to wear his own during a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He came back to Liverpool 6 months later along with great effectiveness and, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was actually the German's footballing "creativity for the last 9 years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is right now plunging into one more adventure at FC Salzburg, planning to funnel impacts like Johan Cruyff, the papa of Dutch "Overall Regulation Football," Italian ideal as well as AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his own approach 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 road coming from aide under a prominent employer to supervisor in your own right is actually a well-trodden one. There are excellence tales: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Arsenal job and also has actually performed surprisingly well in a brief space of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before breaking out on his own to turn into one of one of the most successful supervisors of all time brand new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca operated under Guardiola while the wonderful Joe Fagan took what he learned from famous duo Costs Shankly and also Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet then there are the deterrent examples also: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after seven trophy-laden years at Manchester United along with Sir Alex Ferguson John Sculptor succeeded under Robson and Alan Pardew at Newcastle but fell through when he took charge as carer in 2015. So, it's with that said history of unpredictability that Lijnders is going it alone at Salzburg. He wants his group to be known for his master plan of footballing "intensity." Yet he won't be given extremely long a moratorium. His staff have actually produced a determined start-- succeeding 8 from 14 activities, yet losing 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Game on Tuesday-- as well as while it is actually a group renowned for young people growth, the enthusiasts count on excellence offered last time was their initial without flatware for a decade." We are actually attempting to develop a group that may defeat anybody in world football," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts there certainly however? No, absolutely not. However our company perform training program." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp create among the greatest Liverpool groups in the past of the club. ( Photograph by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Lijnders' having fun occupation as a cussed midfielder for nearby amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German perimeter was interrupted at 17 years old as a result of an ACL personal injury. He went to the Central Principle for Athletics Innovator Instruction (CIOS) to study as well as began working at PSV Eindhoven, receiving the only training apprenticeship on offer to trainees on the course. As he handled his studies and also his job at PSV, he likewise took charge of SVEB's reserves, where he initially made an effort to implement his ideology: a mix of "Complete Soccer" (a fluid regulation football body motivating positional interchange promoted through Cruyff) and also ruthless counter-pressing." I had the feeling gamers revived when I coached, which gives you assurance," he says.The instruction with PSV was suggested to become a five-year task, yet he was rewarded a full time contract after 3 years, and also devoted the next pair of years flitting in between the USA and also the Netherlands with fellow coach Frans Hoek while creating abilities like Cody Gakpo as well as Jordan Teze. He profited from the legendary Guus Hiddink when he was actually PSV trainer from 2002 to 2006 as well as says to ESPN: "Guus offered colour to Dutch soccer in the means Ju00fcrgen offered colour to German football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders possessed rate of interest from MTK Budapest, yet took up an arrangement at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every phrase. Frade-- admired through Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson as well as plenty of others-- was actually a college teacher that was likewise assistant supervisor at Porto as well as the father of tactical periodisation (practically using instruction as a mirror for match strength and rhythm, instead of an isolated physical exercise). Lijnders remembers their tactical advancements at the time and breaks into a vast smile, referencing a flying picture he has of one Co Adriaanse's setup where he set up exclusively wingers on the flanks and also no full-backs. At the time it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders operated to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade condition for the nightclub's plan to re-think the institute's relationship with the first string. "I qualified all the groups-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the afternoon, and U12 as well as U11 in the evening," he claims. "In some cases I 'd have 40 gamers, yet I failed to speak a phrase of Portuguese." Despite that barricade, Porto developed. The club carried via abilities like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and also Diogo Dalot. There was additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer who captained Lijnders' youth crews at Porto, functioned as linguist, as well as somebody that Lijnders wrote that he "likes to little bits" in his 2022 publication "Strength."" That's why I really love football a great deal," Lijnders states. "The partnership you build with the players. If that bond isn't there certainly, there's no way to effectiveness." He was actually appeared out by Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as an achievable add-on to Ferguson's backroom team at Male United, yet that collapsed when Ferguson retired at the end of that season. And through mid-2014, Lijnders awaited a brand new difficulty. While analyzing for his UEFA coaching symbols under the assistance of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually secured a youth coach opportunity at Liverpool project, so the nightclub delivered U23 supervisor Michael Beale and also academy supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to pay attention to among his discussions. It got the job done: "Michael stated to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually not flying back to Porto, you are actually possessing me to Liverpool.'" Among Pep Lijnders' crucial abilities was nurturing and determining academy talent just before providing a chance to climb through the positions. ( Picture through Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Graphics) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that evening, was installed in a resort, as well as for three times they spoke. It found yourself with Liverpool using Lijnders an agreement to take charge of the U16 and also U15s: a group that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, as well as, significantly, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was advertised to a task with the first string under Rodgers, yet when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (president of the group's proprietors Fenway Athletics Team) asked Lijnders to keep Liverpool's training ground Melwood ticking over while they engaged in Klopp. Certainly, when the German took control of there were actually no guarantees he was actually heading to always keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' workers had actually left behind actually, but Gordon inquired the brand new supervisor to keep on a couple of instructors from the previous routine. Klopp still had veto power, but was open to the idea.The initially was actually John Achtenberg. "Great, due to the fact that I didn't possess a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp always remembers informing Gordon. He inquired his brand new manager: "What carries out the other man do?" Gordon pointed out Lijnders was actually a "specialized instructor" a specialist in bridging the gap in between youth and also first string." In Germany, no person spends for a trainer like that," Klopp says to ESPN. "They 'd mention, 'You desire a 2nd associate of what? What are you doing?' So, I suched as the suggestion a whole lot." It was a high-end to Klopp, however he still failed to know a lot regarding this young Dutch train. So on his first night at the club, the new-look Liverpool administration met for supper in the Chance Road Lodging. Klopp had his trusted staff Zeljko Buvac and also Peter Krawietz there along with him, but he would like to understand the brand new faces. Achtenberg sat away of him Lijnders to the other. "It was actually more or less enjoy prima facie," Klopp mentions of Lijnders. "I saw his passion for everything." Klopp likewise saw how much Lijnders appreciated him. "I don't view myself as an outstanding trainer," he points out. "I understand some people somehow presume that, and you could possibly find it in Pep's eyes. You can see him think, 'I better listen closely.' That is actually exactly how it began. Due to the end, our team were equivalent companions." play1:40 Michallik: Port creating Liverpool's post-Klopp transition painlessJanusz Michallik says the most significant favor you can spend Arne Slot is that he's ceased pundits talking about lifestyle after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' first job under Klopp was actually as best development train. He adores flipcharts as well as each part of his planned eyesight was actually made a note of on these large pieces of paper. Klopp always remembers those very early conferences, and just how whenever he will chat, he 'd hear Lijnders' pen doodling away, writing everything he said.At this stage, Klopp contacted Buvac the "brain" and Krawietz the "eye." Speaking in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp stated: "Pep has actually become unbelievably important quickly considering that he creates everything down. He is additionally aspect of 'the mind' because he is our thoughts to keep in mind the things what our company carried out in previous treatments ... I obtained the Dutch coach who was resisted to ownership! Dutch regulation football is possession-based: it is actually Total Soccer, Cruyff. Yet he was a counter-pressing beast. I enjoyed his exhilaration and the method he gets out of the saddle when he refers to regulation football." Among his best contributions because initial duration at Liverpool was available in poking Klopp to offer a number of the academy players an odds in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold some of the 1st advertised in 2016 at the grow older of 18." I could compose a manual regarding the second he first informed me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp says to ESPN. "Our company unlocked Trent operated right through it. His correct foot is absurd. The Trent highlights online video is ludicrous. You do not require the targets, it is actually the successfully pases, you see the successfully pases as well as assume 'Exactly how is that possible?' It is actually a completely different sporting activity." Lijnders likewise had a huge influence in tiding over between first team and also academy. "I profited from him," Klopp includes. "He opened my mind for different things in football. As most of us age, the range between you and the age of the gamer team grows. My 2 sons kept me in touch keeping that production, yet certainly, the next generation of world-class trains are already out there. There is actually consistently change, progression as well as improvement. Pep opened my eyes for those sort of things.Pep Lijnders had a quick stint at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen before rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Photograph by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC using Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders assumed a lot more responsibility: intending training and the routine around complements. Off the pitch, both regularly played padel as well as came to be incredibly near friends.Liverpool completed fourth in 2016-17 however, midway via the observing project, Lijnders was actually being seemed out concerning a head-coach position of his personal spine in the Netherlands. Interested to come back to his birthplace to be with his daddy as he combated cancer cells, the 34-year-old chosen to take the leading task at then-second branch side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His objective was actually to get promo back to the Eredivisie, but it confirmed to become an ill-fated spell and also they lost in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the job, he left behind through common deal on May 17." I have actually constantly taken complete accountability as well as never claimed a bad term concerning NEC," Lijnders mentions. "It is actually a stunning nightclub, but in some cases the time is not right. Occasionally there is no hit, or even often you join a nightclub where you need persistence. But I take accountability. I do not would like to state too much about it, since every little thing I claim might discover inappropriate. I learnt a great deal to take in to my next task." Back at Anfield, Buvac had gone on in April and Klopp was trying to find a brand new assistant. Certainly, he really wanted Lijnders back.One time, Lijnders remained in the backyard with his partner Danielle as well as mama when his phone sounded. It was actually Klopp, as well as Danielle inquired what the call concerned. "He told me our experts're heading to control the globe," Lijnders informed her.Just 19 days after he left NEC, Lijnders' consultation as Klopp's assistant manager was actually declared on June 5." We all know there is actually a widely known phrase: 'You can learn more from defeats than coming from consistent triumph,'" Klopp claims. "I am actually unsure it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was actually a true loss, yet it wasn't well prepared, I believe our experts may claim that. Our company didn't talk a great deal about it, it was not necessary. I was simply delighted he returned." A golden returnPep Lijnders and also Jurgen Klopp pose along with the FA Mug as well as the Carabao Mug prize in the course of the Liverpool procession on Might 29, 2022. ( Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Over the upcoming couple of years, Klopp and also Lijnders will achieve outstanding excellence with each other at Liverpool. The glorious moment was actually the 2019 Champions Game final gain Tottenham Hotspur, yet that was just among an amount of trophies consisting of the 2019-20 Premier Organization headline, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club Globe Mug, and also 2022 and also 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders was there for all the vital instants, both well-known and in the darkness as they plotted their excellence. He was actually linguist on decision when Klopp was making an effort to urge Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to join the group in January 2022, and always remembers partaking Klopp's kitchen area attempting to exercise how to persuade centre-back Virgil van Dijk to authorize coming from Southampton in January 2018. However through all the delight and troubles, the work took its own cost. And prior to the 2023-24 season started, Klopp and Lijnders began to plan for the finishing factor." It was taking place in the [2023] summer months, [with] a really tough year behind us," Lijnders claims of an initiative where the club finished fifth as well as were actually knocked out of the Champions League in the sphere of 16. "Our team enjoyed we succeeded the last 8, 9 activities of the period, our experts still visited Europe. Our experts altered the body Trent went even more inside [to play as a midfielder]" In the summer season our company already discussed if it was actually the correct time to go, or if it was the right time to proceed. We pointed out 'yes, our team'll perform another year and also our experts'll view in January.' Yet by November-time, Ju00fcrgen pointed out: 'I am actually carried out.' And also I stated, 'Yes if that holds true, it is actually opportunity for me to go too.' I've had numerous, good provides in recent times, however I would like to complete the job with him. My connection is actually extremely strong with him: he is actually a brother, a papa, a coach. Beyond my family members as well as closest buddies, he understands me far better than any individual." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the last time as they trump Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the sound, penetrating the unfiltered adulation, posing for many photographs, he discovered themself back in the innards of Anfield and also there was actually a rare second of silent." Our team 'd had Louise Dobson, the group manager, telling our team where to go and when, as well as our team were therefore touched [due to the festivities]," he claims. "In the long run, it was actually only Pep and me. Our team had splits in our eyes. We understood our company were actually honored also since in our service, you can be found in with the frontal door as well as they drive you out the back entrance. Our team were actually blessed as well as we could possibly go out by means of the main door. Our company created a publication together and that was the final phase. As well as our company took pleasure in that as a lot [as we could] because you understand it is actually certainly not permanently. That's lifestyle." After an evening partying, as well as, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family members controling the dance floor, attention counted on the future. Lijnders had actually been picking up passion coming from nightclubs keen to consult with him concerning upcoming openings, as well as he knew it was opportunity for his family to experience one thing new." You possess one decade in Liverpool, in Formby, a small town, you have everything there certainly, right?" he mentions. "Thus my kids know nothing besides England, Liverpool and the club. They believe every arena resembles Anfield." Lijnders just spoke to clubs who would explore him face to face in Formby, and also each time he will try to find particular assurances. But it was actually Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that attracted him. The crew had withstood a tough 2023-24 project, which found then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as gained the regular season however completed second in the Championship Round to Sturm Graz to end their initial trophyless season in a decade.After a check out to Salzburg to check out the nightclub personally, Lijnders' partner Danielle turned to their youngest child, Romijn, and inquired: "What perform you consider Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I overlook it actually." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has made Luis Du00edaz a far better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik talk about exactly how Liverpool boss Arne Slot is receiving the very best away from his team, especially Luis Du00edaz, following their 3-0 get Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg trumped FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to qualify for the Champions League team stage. "Our company would like to be the crew that may beat anyone on earth," Lijnders states. "Are our team there however? No, certainly not ... our experts have actually merely started. Yet I yearn for the followers to assume, "okay, this is the brand-new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing ideology greatly inherent, Lijnders additionally wishes his Salzburg to drown the opposition. "You can easily participate in a prevalent design of football, where you can possess the ball in the enemy's half a great deal," he includes. "Our team are actually young, our team are talented, our company teem with blowing. Our company do not really want the opponent to have any time. There is so much talent listed below, a great deal energy, a lot youth. "Our experts have a smaller sized team, 16 or even 17 players, and also offers our team area for the institute." With a motto of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Soccer coming from tomorrow] and also a history of outstanding players like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko as well as Dayot Upamecano having actually come by means of the ranks, the club's focus is actually quite on youth the oldest gamers in the squad are actually goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) and also Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the earliest outfield gamers are 25. Given that Lijnders participated in, Salzburg have actually presently overruned his aged club to authorize midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on lending, while the new supervisor likewise took instructors Vitor Matos as well as Andreas Kornmayer with him.The crazy men coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Red Upward Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool coaches still possess their WhatsApp group accessible it's referred to as the "Diamond Canine," inspired through Apple TV series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg stage show, the conversation is actually as active as ever before, with Klopp keeping a shut eye on how Lijnders is faring." Everybody with a bit of a football eye may view his impact," Klopp points out. "I adore this pleasant mix of actual intensity, a very clear concept as well as ownership. I informed him after an activity just recently, you can easily find this crew possesses an excellent trainer. That's exactly how I judge trainers my entire lifestyle-- you enjoy the activities, and after that you question who trains all of them. They play properly. I presume it is actually a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It is actually so wise coming from him, as well as it is actually so smart coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization season started with four wins, a draw as well as a defeat, however it has actually also seen detrimental reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and Brest (4-0) in the Champions Game. He obtained some criticism for handling crews versus Sparta and Austria Wien with no Austrian gamers in the lineup, yet Lijnders understands there are going to be opportunities when kind sags and tension boosts. He will stick to his guidelines which have actually offered him well up until now." It's black as well as alone when you don't win, as well as when you enter such a duration, it could be darker, alone and also uncomfortable," he states. "But when you are actually qualifying on the area, helping players enhance, I will definitely certainly never obtain exhausted of that. In those instants you must hold on to what creates you, as a player, and also a coach." Every instructor is going to undergo tough time periods, but there's nothing wrong with that. I know I play with high threat, but likewise higher perks. That's who I am actually. There are actually two suits in regulation football. There's the match on the scoreboard, and the second fit is your identity. You can easily drop one, however you'll never ever shed the 2nd complement." I wish you'll observe Salzburg pushing and chasing the enemy around the entire pitch, and coming from all directions. Yet above all, they're performing it all together, permanently." Extra reporting: Sanne van Dongen as well as Milan truck Dongen.