Red Bull Salzburg has a concrete interest in Pepijn Lijnders. The current assistant to Jürgen Klopp will be leaving Anfield at the end of this season. His future may lie in Austria.
Lijnders joined Liverpool in 2015, initially as a youth coach. He was promoted to the first team as an assistant coach by then-head coach Brendan Rodgers.
When Jürgen Klopp took over as Liverpool's head coach, Lijnders became a crucial part of the coaching staff, often regarded as Klopp's right-hand man. He played a significant role in Liverpool's successes over the years, contributing to their Premier League and Champions League victories.
In 2018, Lijnders decided to step out of Klopp's shadow and took on the role of head coach at NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands. However, his tenure there was short-lived, and he returned to Liverpool the same year, resuming his position as assistant coach. Lijnders' tactical acumen and rapport with the players have made him a respected figure at Anfield, and his contributions have been integral to Liverpool's recent achievements.
Now, Red Bull Salzburg has set their sights on Lijnders to become their new head coach. This season, Salzburg's dominance in the Austrian Bundesliga is under threat. After winning ten consecutive league titles, they are at risk of losing the championship to Sturm Graz, who could secure the title on Sunday. If Salzburg finishes second, they will have to navigate the Champions League qualifiers, a significant drop from their usual direct entry into the group stage.
Currently, Salzburg is under the interim leadership of Onur Cinel, following the dismissal of head coach Gerhard Struber in April. The club is looking for a permanent solution to steer them back to their winning ways, and Lijnders is seen as a promising candidate due to his experience and success at Liverpool.
According to Austrian media, Bo Svensson was also considered for the role. Svensson has a history with Salzburg's sister club, FC Liefering, and was recently available after being dismissed as head coach of FSV Mainz 05 in November. Despite his availability and familiarity with the Red Bull football philosophy, Salzburg appears to be more interested in securing Lijnders, who brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record at the highest level of European football.
If Lijnders accepts the offer from Salzburg, it will mark a significant step in his managerial career, transitioning from an assistant role at a top Premier League club to the head coach position at a prominent European team. His potential appointment could bring new strategies and revitalized energy to Salzburg, aiming to reclaim their position as the dominant force in Austrian football and make a substantial impact in European competitions.
