.Tom Hamilton, Elder WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Participated in ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and also 2 British & Irish Lions excursions u2022 Previously rugby publisher, and also came to be senior writer in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked boxes on the floor contain memories of his experience coming from training student at PSV to becoming Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "identical companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp calls it. There are actually bordered images, t shirts and suit rounds from the numerous finals he helped the crew reach.But there is actually another memento he treasures above all as it summarizes what he's enthusiastic concerning developing youth, and also finding them flourish on regulation football's largest stage. Next to among the complement spheres from the 2019 Champions Game ultimate is a photo from the events after Liverpool's triumph. It is a photo of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his back. Alexander-Arnold bordered it and inflicted him when Lijnders quit Liverpool along with Klopp in May. The caption reads through: "This is my favorite picture people, too. Thanks for definitely EVERYTHING. Without you, none of it was actually feasible. Trent." Lijnders has actually received pages as well as webpages of training sessions going back 20 years. His adventure began in 2002 as youth train at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, after that in 2014 he resolved the Liverpool positions to end up being a train under Brendan Rodgers and also Klopp, prior to he made a decision to fit his personal in the course of a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He returned to Liverpool six months later along with terrific success as well as, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "ideas for the last nine years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually now embarking on another adventure at FC Salzburg, intending to transport impacts like Johan Cruyff, the papa of Dutch "Total Soccer," Italian speculative and also air conditioner Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his personal philosophy as a "counter-pressing beast," as Klopp puts it. But this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and also he's certainly not staying under Klopp's wing.The course coming from assistant under a widely known boss to supervisor in your very own right is a well-trodden one. There are results stories: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Collection project and also has carried out very effectively in a quick area of your time Josu00e9 Mourinho was actually assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before breaking out on his own to become one of the absolute most successful managers of perpetuity new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca worked under Guardiola while the terrific Joe Fagan took what he learned from legendary duo Expense Shankly and also Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. But after that there are actually the cautionary tales as well: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after seven trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson John Sculptor flourished under Robson and also Alan Pardew at Newcastle but fell through when he commanded as sitter in 2015. So, it is actually keeping that record of changability that Lijnders is going it alone at Salzburg. He prefers his group to be understood for his master plan of footballing "strength." But he won't be actually given very long a grace period. His group have actually made a determined start-- succeeding 8 coming from 14 games, but shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions Organization on Tuesday-- and also while it is actually a group renowned for young people progression, the enthusiasts count on success provided final season was their first without flatware for a years." Our company're trying to make a staff that can easily trump anyone in world soccer," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts certainly there yet? No, absolutely not. But our company get on training course." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp construct one of the very best Liverpool teams in the past history of the nightclub. ( Image through John Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Lijnders' playing occupation as a contentious midfielder for regional amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German boundary was interrupted at 17 years old because of an ACL accident. He headed to the Central Principle for Sports Leader Instruction (CIOS) to study and started working at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only coaching apprenticeship available to pupils on the course. As he handled his research studies and his work at PSV, he also organized SVEB's books, where he first made an effort to implement his theory: a mix of "Complete Regulation Football" (a liquid soccer body encouraging positional interchange promoted by Cruyff) and also ruthless counter-pressing." I possessed the emotion players revived when I trained, which gives you assurance," he says.The instruction with PSV was implied to be a five-year project, however he was actually awarded a full-time deal after three years, and spent the following pair of years flitting between the USA as well as the Netherlands along with fellow instructor Frans Hoek while developing talents like Cody Gakpo and Jordan Teze. He profited from the legendary Guus Hiddink when he was PSV train from 2002 to 2006 as well as says to ESPN: "Guus gave colour to Dutch football in the technique Ju00fcrgen offered colour to German soccer." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had interest from MTK Budapest, however took up a deal at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- marvelled at by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and a great number of others-- was actually an educational institution professor that was additionally assistant supervisor at Porto and also the daddy of tactical periodisation (generally making use of training as a looking glass for suit intensity as well as rhythm, as opposed to a segregated exercise). Lijnders remembers their military technologies back then as well as breaks into a large smile, referencing an aerial picture he has of one Co Adriaanse's system where he deployed exclusively wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. At that time it blew his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Job 611," a sunshade condition for the nightclub's program to re-think the institute's partnership along with the first string. "I educated all the groups-- U19 in the early morning, U15 in the afternoon, and also U12 and also U11 in the evening," he points out. "Sometimes I will possess 40 players, however I didn't speak a term of Portuguese." Despite that barrier, Porto flourished. The club brought via skills like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was actually additionally midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player who captained Lijnders' youth crews at Porto, acted as explainer, as well as an individual who Lijnders composed that he "adores to bits" in his 2022 book "Magnitude."" That is actually why I enjoy regulation football a great deal," Lijnders says. "The partnership you shape along with the gamers. If that relationship isn't there, there's no chance to success." He was actually sounded out through Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as a possible add-on to Ferguson's backroom team at Male United, however that collapsed when Ferguson retired by the end of that period. And through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a brand new obstacle. While analyzing for his UEFA coaching symbols under the assistance of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually made an application for a young people trainer opportunity at Liverpool project, so the nightclub sent U23 manager Michael Beale and also academy supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to listen to among his discussions. It did the job: "Michael mentioned to me, 'Pepijn, you're certainly not soaring back to Porto, you are actually including me to Liverpool.'" One of Pep Lijnders' most important abilities was nourishing and also determining academy ability before giving them a chance to rise through the ranks. ( Image through Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Photos) Lijnders soared to Liverpool that evening, was put up in a resort, and also for 3 days they spoke. It found yourself along with Liverpool delivering Lijnders an arrangement to take charge of the U16 and U15s: a team that consisted of Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and also, notably, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was actually marketed to a work along with the first team under Rodgers, yet when the Northern Irishman was sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (president of the group's proprietors Fenway Sports Group) inquired Lijnders to maintain Liverpool's training school Melwood ticking over while they worked at Klopp. Certainly, when the German took over there were actually no guarantees he was actually going to always keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' staff had left behind presently, however Gordon talked to the new manager to go on a couple of trainers from the previous regime. Klopp still possessed last word, however levelled to the idea.The initially was actually John Achtenberg. "Good, since I failed to possess a goalkeeping coach," Klopp remembers informing Gordon. He inquired his brand new supervisor: "What does the various other man perform?" Gordon claimed Lijnders was actually a "technical train" an expert in bridging the gap in between young people as well as first team." In Germany, nobody purchases an instructor like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They will point out, 'You prefer a second assistant for what? What are you performing?' Therefore, I just liked the concept a great deal." It was a luxurious to Klopp, yet he still didn't know a lot about this younger Dutch instructor. So on his opening night at the nightclub, the new-look Liverpool administration got to know for dinner in the Hope Street Lodging. Klopp had his relied on personnel Zeljko Buvac and also Peter Krawietz there along with him, however he intended to understand the brand new faces. Achtenberg sat away of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually basically love at first sight," Klopp points out of Lijnders. "I viewed his enthusiasm for everything." Klopp likewise viewed the amount of Lijnders recognized him. "I do not find myself as a remarkable coach," he mentions. "I recognize some folks for one reason or another believe that, as well as you might find it in Pep's eyes. You can find him think, 'I better pay attention.' That is actually exactly how it started. By the end, our experts were actually identical partners." play1:40 Michallik: Port making Liverpool's post-Klopp shift painlessJanusz Michallik says the greatest favor you can pay Arne Port is that he's quit pundits discussing life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st task under Klopp was as best growth coach. He really loves flipcharts and each part of his planned eyesight was documented on these vast pieces of paper. Klopp remembers those early meetings, and also exactly how whenever he 'd talk, he 'd hear Lijnders' marker jotting away, taking down whatever he said.At this stage, Klopp phoned Buvac the "mind" and Krawietz the "eye." Talking in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp claimed: "Pep has become amazingly necessary quickly considering that he creates everything down. He is actually additionally portion of 'the brain' given that he is our thoughts to consider things what our company performed in previous sessions ... I acquired the Dutch trainer who was resisted to ownership! Dutch football is possession-based: it is actually Complete Football, Cruyff. But he was actually a counter-pressing monster. I liked his pleasure as well as the method he avoids the seat when he speaks about football." Some of his greatest contributions because initial duration at Liverpool was available in nudging Klopp to offer some of the academy players an opportunity in the first string, with Alexander-Arnold among the very first advertised in 2016 at the age of 18." I could create a book about the minute he to begin with informed me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp informs ESPN. "We opened the door Trent managed right through it. His ideal foot is preposterous. The Trent highlights online video is absurd. You don't require the goals, it is actually the elapseds, you enjoy the passes and think 'How is actually that feasible?' It's a fully different sport." Lijnders likewise possessed a significant effect in tiding over in between first string and also institute. "I learnt from him," Klopp includes. "He opened my thoughts for different things in football. As all of us grow older, the proximity in between you as well as the age of the player group grows. My two sons maintained me in touch with that said generation, but of course, the next generation of outstanding instructors are presently around. There's always alter, progression and also enhancement. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders had a quick assignment at Dutch edge NEC Nijmegen before rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Image by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders assumed even more responsibility: considering instruction as well as the timetable around matches. Off the sound, the two on a regular basis played padel and became extremely near friends.Liverpool finished 4th in 2016-17 yet, midway through the observing campaign, Lijnders was being actually seemed out regarding a head-coach position of his personal back in the Netherlands. Eager to go back to his homeland to become along with his father as he fought cancer cells, the 34-year-old determined to take the leading project at then-second division edge NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His target was to protect promotion back to the Eredivisie, yet it showed to be an unlucky incantation and they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the role, he left behind through mutual deal on Might 17." I have regularly taken total responsibility as well as never pointed out a poor term regarding NEC," Lijnders points out. "It's a gorgeous nightclub, yet occasionally the timing is actually wrong. Sometimes there is actually no click on, or often you join a club where you require patience. But I take obligation. I do not wish to mention too much regarding it, because every thing I claim can come upon inappropriate. I learnt a great deal to take right into my next task." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually carried on in April as well as Klopp was searching for a brand-new associate. Obviously, he wanted Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders was in the garden along with his wife Danielle as well as mommy when his phone called. It was Klopp, as well as Danielle asked what the call concerned. "He informed me our team are actually mosting likely to control the planet," Lijnders said to her.Just 19 days after he left behind NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant supervisor was actually announced on June 5." All of us know there is actually a renowned phrase: 'You can discover more coming from beats than coming from steady success,'" Klopp states. "I'm not sure it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was actually a real loss, but it had not been effectively equipped, I believe our experts can easily point out that. Our team really did not talk a great deal concerning it, it was actually certainly not needed. I was merely happy he came back." A golden returnPep Lijnders and also Jurgen Klopp position along with the FA Mug as well as the Carabao Mug trophy during the Liverpool procession on May 29, 2022. ( Image by Jan Kruger/Getty Graphics) Over the next few years, Klopp and also Lijnders would accomplish outstanding success all together at Liverpool. The crowning moment was the 2019 Champions Organization last gain Tottenham Hotspur, however that was actually only some of a variety of prizes consisting of the 2019-20 Premier Game label, 2022 FA Cup, 2019 Club Globe Mug, and also 2022 as well as 2024 Organization Cups.Lijnders was there for all the crucial minutes, both well-known and in the shadows as they outlined their effectiveness. He was translator on decision when Klopp was actually attempting to persuade Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the group in January 2022, and also always remembers being in Klopp's kitchen area attempting to exercise just how to persuade centre-back Virgil van Dijk to sign from Southampton in January 2018. But by means of all the happiness and also setbacks, the job took its cost. And before the 2023-24 period started, Klopp and Lijnders began to think about the finishing factor." It was taking place in the [2023] summertime, [with] a quite hard year behind us," Lijnders claims of an initiative where the group ended up 5th as well as were actually knocked out of the Champions Game in the around of 16. "Our company mored than happy we succeeded the last eight, 9 activities of the time, our team still went to Europe. Our experts changed the system Trent went much more inside [to play as a midfielder]" In the summer season we actually covered if it was the right time to go, or if it was the right time to carry on. We claimed 'yes, our company'll carry out another year and our company'll see in January.' Yet by November-time, Ju00fcrgen said: 'I am actually done.' And also I stated, 'Yes if that holds true, it is actually opportunity for me to go also.' I have actually possessed a number of, good deals in the last few years, however I wanted to end up the project with him. My hookup is actually extremely strong along with him: he is actually a bro, a papa, a mentor. Away from my family members and also closest friends, he recognizes me far better than anybody." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp organized Liverpool for the final time as they defeat Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the pitch, soaking in the unfiltered adulation, positioning for a great number of photographs, he located themself back in the innards of Anfield as well as there was actually a rare moment of quiet." Our team will possessed Louise Dobson, the team supervisor, telling us where to go as well as when, and also our experts were so touched [by the occasions]," he claims. "In the end, it was simply Pep as well as me. Our company had rips in our eyes. We understood our team were actually blessed too given that in our organization, you are available in via the main door and they push you out the back entrance. Our experts were actually honored as well as our company might head out through the front door. Our company composed a manual all together and that was the final section. As well as we appreciated that as much [as our company could possibly] given that you know it's certainly not permanently. That is actually lifestyle." After a night partying, and also, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders family members controling the dancing floor, focus turned to the future. Lijnders had currently been fielding interest from nightclubs keen to speak to him regarding honest jobs, as well as he understood it was actually time for his household to experience something brand new." You possess 10 years in Liverpool, in Formby, a small village, you possess every thing certainly there, right?" he states. "Therefore my children know nothing apart from England, Liverpool as well as the nightclub. They think every coliseum is like Anfield." Lijnders simply talked to nightclubs that would explore him in person in Formby, as well as each time he would certainly try to find specific assurances. But it was actually Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that seduced him. The group possessed sustained a difficult 2023-24 campaign, which observed then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as gained the normal season but completed second in the Champion Cycle to Sturm Graz to end their initial trophyless period in a decade.After a check out to Salzburg to explore the nightclub face to face, Lijnders' other half Danielle relied on their youngest boy, Romijn, and also inquired: "What do you think about Salzburg?" Romijn responded to: "I skip it actually." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has actually created Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Mark Donaldson and also Janusz Michallik review exactly how Liverpool manager Arne Port is actually getting the very best away from his team, particularly Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 sway Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg defeated FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to obtain the Champions Circle group stage. "We wish to be the group that may trump anyone on earth," Lijnders says. "Are our company certainly there but? No, obviously certainly not ... our experts have actually simply started. Yet I prefer the followers to assume, "okay, this is actually the brand new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing theory heavily embedded, Lijnders additionally prefers his Salzburg to asphyxiate the opposition. "You can easily participate in a dominant type of soccer, where you can possess the reception in the rival's half a whole lot," he includes. "Our team are actually young, our team excel, our experts teem with bravado. Our experts don't prefer the opponent to have whenever. There is so much ability listed here, so much energy, a great deal youth. "Our company possess a smaller sized squad, 16 or 17 gamers, which gives our team space for the academy." With a trademark of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Regulation football coming from tomorrow] and a past history of outstanding gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko as well as Dayot Upamecano having actually happened with the rankings, the nightclub's focus is actually significantly on young people the earliest players in the team are actually goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (thirty three) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield gamers are 25. Due to the fact that Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have already plundered his old club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic as well as Bobby Clark on car loan, while the brand new manager additionally brought instructors Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer with him.The mad fellas coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The aged Liverpool trainers still have their WhatsApp group available it is actually referred to as the "Diamond Dogs," influenced by Apple TV program Ted Lasso. When Salzburg stage show, the conversation is as energetic as ever, along with Klopp keeping a shut eye on how Lijnders is actually doing." Everyone with a little bit of a football eye may see his impact," Klopp claims. "I love this good mix of true strength, a very clear idea and ownership. I informed him after a game lately, you can observe this group has an excellent train. That is actually just how I evaluate trains my entire lifestyle-- you watch the video games, and then you ponder who coaches them. They participate in properly. I presume it's a great deal for him at Salzburg. It is actually thus brilliant from him, as well as it is actually thus wise from Salzburg." Salzburg's league season started with four victories, a draw and a defeat, yet it has likewise viewed harmful losses to Sparta Prague (3-0) and also Brest (4-0) in the Champions League. He acquired some unfavorable judgment for fielding groups versus Sparta and also Austria Wien without any Austrian gamers in the lineup, but Lijnders understands there will definitely be actually times when type plunges and pressure rises. He will adhere to his principles which have actually offered him properly thus far." It is actually dark and also lonely when you don't win, and also when you get involved in such a duration, it may be darker, unhappy and also annoying," he mentions. "Yet when you are actually training on the area, helping gamers boost, I will definitely never ever receive exhausted of that. In those minutes you need to hold on to what makes you, as a gamer, as well as a trainer." Every coach is going to experience challenging time periods, yet there's absolutely nothing inappropriate keeping that. I understand I play with high risk, however also higher benefit. That's who I am. There are 2 paireds in soccer. There's the suit on the scoreboard, and the second match is your identity. You can easily shed one, however you'll certainly never lose the 2nd suit." I wish you'll view Salzburg pressing and chasing the enemy around the whole pitch, as well as from all paths. But most of all, they are actually doing it all together, for good." Extra coverage: Sanne van Dongen as well as Milan vehicle Dongen.