.Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Dealt with 2 Olympics, a pair of Rugby Globe Cups as well as two British & Irish Lions tours u2022 Formerly rugby publisher, as well as came to be senior author in 2018The wall structures of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked cartons on the flooring contain moments of his adventure from coaching student at PSV to coming to be Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "equal partner" at Liverpool, as Klopp contacts it. There are framed pictures, tshirts and suit balls from the several finals he aided the team reach.But there is one other keepsake he cherishes most importantly as it summarizes what he is actually passionate about establishing youth, as well as viewing all of them thrive on soccer's largest stage. Close to among the match spheres from the 2019 Champions League last is actually a photograph coming from the parties after Liverpool's victory. It is a photograph of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold framed it and also gave it to him when Lijnders quit Liverpool along with Klopp in May. The caption reads through: "This is my much-loved photograph people, as well. Thank you for completely every little thing. Without you, none of it was actually possible. Trent." Lijnders has actually received webpages and also web pages of instruction treatments going back twenty years. His adventure began in 2002 as young people trainer at PSV, in 2006 he transferred to FC Porto, at that point in 2014 he worked through the Liverpool places to end up being a trainer under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, before he made a decision to wear his very own in the course of a chastening spell as NEC Nijmegen manager in 2018. He returned to Liverpool six months later on along with great results and, as Klopp told ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "ideas for the final 9 years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually right now embarking on yet another quest at FC Salzburg, planning to route influences like Johan Cruyff, the papa of Dutch "Total Regulation Football," Italian ideal and also air conditioning Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and also ex-Feyenoord supervisor Wiel Coerver while instilling his very own philosophy as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp puts it. But this isn't Liverpool 2.0, as well as he is actually certainly not residing under Klopp's wing.The path from associate under a widely known manager to manager in your very own right is a well-trodden one. There are actually results accounts: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's conservation in 2019 for the Collection work and has actually carried out astonishingly effectively in a quick room of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona just before breaking out on his own to become one of one of the most prosperous managers of perpetuity new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca worked under Guardiola while the great Joe Fagan took what he picked up from epic duo Bill Shankly as well as Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. But at that point there are the sign of things to come too: In 1998, Brian Kidd's period at Blackburn lasted 11 months after seven trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Mam Alex Ferguson John Carver prospered under Robson as well as Alan Pardew at Newcastle yet bombed when he took charge as carer in 2015. Therefore, it's with that said past of unpredictability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He wishes his group to become recognized for his blueprint of footballing "strength." But he won't be provided very long a grace period. His group have actually produced a gauged begin-- gaining 8 coming from 14 video games, however dropping 4-0 to Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday-- and while it's a team renowned for young people development, the fans count on excellence provided last time was their initial without flatware for a decade." We are actually making an effort to create a staff that can beat anybody in planet football," Lijnders said to ESPN NL in August. "Are our experts certainly there yet? No, not. But our experts perform course." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp construct one of the best Liverpool crews in the past history of the club. ( Picture by John Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Lijnders' having fun job as a ructious midfielder for local amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German perimeter was actually interrupted at 17 years of ages due to an ACL accident. He visited the Central Institute for Athletics Forerunner Training (CIOS) to research and began working at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only mentoring apprenticeship on offer to students on the course. As he juggled his research studies and also his work at PSV, he likewise organized SVEB's books, where he to begin with tried to apply his approach: a mix of "Complete Regulation Football" (a liquid football system encouraging positional interchange championed through Cruyff) and also ruthless counter-pressing." I possessed the sensation gamers revitalized when I trained, which offers you confidence," he says.The instruction with PSV was implied to become a five-year task, but he was granted a full time deal after 3 years, and spent the upcoming two years flitting between the United States and also the Netherlands along with fellow trainer Frans Hoek while establishing skills like Cody Gakpo as well as Jordan Teze. He profited from the famous Guus Hiddink when he was PSV coach coming from 2002 to 2006 as well as says to ESPN: "Guus provided colour to Dutch soccer in the method Ju00fcrgen gave colour to German regulation football." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had interest coming from MTK Budapest, yet occupied a contract at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every phrase. Frade-- admired through Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and a great number of others-- was actually an university lecturer who was actually additionally assistant supervisor at Porto and also the daddy of military periodisation (basically using instruction as a looking glass for suit magnitude as well as rhythm, rather than a separated workout). Lijnders remembers their tactical innovations at that time and also breaks into a wide smile, referencing a flying picture he possesses of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's system where he deployed solely wingers on the flanks and also no full-backs. At the time it blew his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Project 611," a sunshade phrase for the club's plan to re-think the academy's relationship with the first string. "I qualified all the staffs-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the mid-day, as well as U12 and also U11 at night," he states. "Often I would certainly have 40 players, yet I didn't talk a term of Portuguese." Regardless of that obstacle, Porto grew. The nightclub delivered with skills like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and also Diogo Dalot. There was also midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player that captained Lijnders' youth staffs at Porto, worked as translator, and somebody that Lijnders created that he "likes to littles" in his 2022 book "Magnitude."" That is actually why I enjoy football so much," Lijnders says. "The partnership you forge with the players. If that bond isn't there, there's no chance to success." He was actually sounded out by Rene Meulensteen in early 2013 as a feasible add-on to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Male United, yet that broke down when Ferguson retired by the end of that season. And by mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a new obstacle. While analyzing for his UEFA training symbols under the direction of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had looked for a young people train opportunity at Liverpool project, so the club delivered U23 manager Michael Beale and academy supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to pay attention to among his discussions. It did the job: "Michael mentioned to me, 'Pepijn, you are actually not soaring back to Porto, you are actually including me to Liverpool.'" Some Of Pep Lijnders' most important abilities was actually nourishing and also recognizing academy talent just before giving them a possibility to climb by means of the ranks. ( Picture through Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Photos) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that evening, was actually installed in a hotel, and for three days they chatted. It wound up along with Liverpool delivering Lijnders a deal to take charge of the U16 as well as U15s: a team that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and, especially, leader Alexander-Arnold. That summer months Lijnders was advertised to a project with the first team under Rodgers, but when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (president of the group's owners Fenway Athletics Team) talked to Lijnders to always keep Liverpool's training school Melwood beating over while they worked at Klopp. Certainly, when the German took control of there were no guarantees he was actually mosting likely to keep Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' personnel had actually left presently, however Gordon talked to the brand new manager to continue a couple of trainers from the previous routine. Klopp still possessed last word, however levelled to the idea.The initially was John Achtenberg. "Excellent, given that I really did not have a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp always remembers telling Gordon. He asked his new boss: "What performs the other individual perform?" Gordon said Lijnders was a "specialized coach" an expert in bridging the gap in between young people as well as first team." In Germany, nobody pays for a train like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They will say, 'You wish a 2nd associate wherefore? What are you doing?' Therefore, I ased if the suggestion a great deal." It was actually a luxury to Klopp, however he still really did not recognize much concerning this youthful Dutch instructor. So on his first night at the nightclub, the new-look Liverpool control met for dinner in the Hope Road Resort. Klopp had his depended on team Zeljko Buvac and also Peter Krawietz certainly there along with him, yet he would like to get to know the brand-new skins. Achtenberg rested to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was actually essentially enjoy at first sight," Klopp mentions of Lijnders. "I found his interest for whatever." Klopp likewise saw just how much Lijnders respected him. "I do not observe myself as an extraordinary trainer," he states. "I understand some folks for some reason assume that, and also you might find it in Pep's eyes. You could possibly view him believe, 'I better listen closely.' That is actually exactly how it began. Due to the end, our team were actually equal companions." play1:40 Michallik: Slot producing Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik claims the largest compliment you can pay Arne Slot is that he's quit experts talking about lifestyle after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' first job under Klopp was actually as best progression train. He enjoys flipcharts and each aspect of his planned eyesight was made a note of on these extensive notepads. Klopp always remembers those early appointments, and just how whenever he 'd talk, he would certainly hear Lijnders' pen scribbling away, taking down every little thing he said.At this stage, Klopp got in touch with Buvac the "mind" and also Krawietz the "eye." Talking in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp mentioned: "Pep has actually ended up being amazingly essential quickly since he composes whatever down. He is also aspect of 'the brain' because he is our mind to consider the things what we performed in previous treatments ... I obtained the Dutch instructor who was opposed to ownership! Dutch football is actually possession-based: it is actually Total Football, Cruyff. However he was actually a counter-pressing beast. I adored his pleasure and the method he leaves the saddle when he discusses soccer." Among his ultimate additions because very first period at Liverpool came in nudging Klopp to provide a number of the academy gamers a chance in the first string, with Alexander-Arnold one of the first advertised in 2016 at the age of 18." I might compose a manual concerning the minute he to begin with told me concerning Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp tells ESPN. "Our team unlocked Trent operated throughout it. His best feet is ridiculous. The Trent highlights online video is foolish. You do not need the objectives, it's the passes, you watch the successfully pases as well as presume 'How is actually that achievable?' It is actually an entirely various sporting activity." Lijnders also possessed a huge effect in tiding over in between first string as well as institute. "I learnt from him," Klopp incorporates. "He opened my mind for different points in regulation football. As most of us age, the range between you and also the grow older of the player group grows. My two kids maintained me in contact with that production, however certainly, the next generation of first-rate instructors are actually currently around. There is actually consistently alter, growth as well as renovation. Pep opened my eyes for those sort of things.Pep Lijnders possessed a quick job at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen just before returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC by means of Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders took over extra obligation: considering training and also the schedule around fits. Off the pitch, the 2 on a regular basis participated in padel and also ended up being unbelievably near friends.Liverpool finished 4th in 2016-17 however, midway with the following project, Lijnders was being appeared out concerning a head-coach placement of his personal back in the Netherlands. Keen to return to his home to be with his father as he fought cancer, the 34-year-old decided to take the top work at then-second division edge NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His goal was actually to safeguard advertising back to the Eredivisie, yet it proved to become an unfortunate spell and they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the function, he left through common deal on Might 17." I have actually regularly taken total accountability and never ever said a bad word regarding NEC," Lijnders points out. "It is actually a beautiful club, yet in some cases the timing is actually not right. Often there is actually no click, or even occasionally you sign up with a club where you need perseverance. Yet I take accountability. I don't intend to point out too much regarding it, because every little thing I say could come across incorrect. I learnt a whole lot to take in to my next job." Back at Anfield, Buvac had actually carried on in April as well as Klopp was actually trying to find a new associate. Of course, he wished Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders remained in the landscape along with his better half Danielle and also mother when his phone rang. It was actually Klopp, and also Danielle asked what decision had to do with. "He informed me our experts are actually visiting conquer the world," Lijnders informed her.Just 19 times after he left NEC, Lijnders' session as Klopp's assistant manager was declared on June 5." We all know there is actually a widely known phrase: 'You can find out more from beats than from continuous triumph,'" Klopp points out. "I am actually uncertain it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was actually a true loss, but it had not been properly ready, I presume our experts may mention that. Our team failed to speak a great deal regarding it, it was certainly not required. I was actually only delighted he returned." A gold returnPep Lijnders and Jurgen Klopp posture along with the FA Cup and also the Carabao Cup trophy during the course of the Liverpool parade on Might 29, 2022. ( Photograph through Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Over the upcoming handful of years, Klopp as well as Lijnders would obtain outstanding results together at Liverpool. The glorious moment was the 2019 Champions League ultimate sway Tottenham Hotspur, yet that was just among an amount of prizes featuring the 2019-20 Premier Game label, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Group Planet Cup, as well as 2022 as well as 2024 League Cups.Lijnders was there for all the vital minutes, both well-known and in the darkness as they outlined their excellence. He was actually translator on the call when Klopp was making an effort to convince Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to join the group in January 2022, and also always remembers partaking Klopp's kitchen attempting to exercise just how to encourage centre-back Virgil van Dijk to authorize coming from Southampton in January 2018. But through all the pleasure and also obstacles, the task took its cost. And prior to the 2023-24 time started, Klopp and Lijnders began to prepare for the finishing point." It was happening in the [2023] summer, [along with] a very tough year behind our team," Lijnders points out of a campaign where the club finished 5th and also were actually knocked out of the Champions League in the sphere of 16. "We enjoyed our company gained the final 8, nine games of the time, our company still headed to Europe. Our company altered the system Trent went extra inside [to play as a midfielder]" In the summer we presently explained if it was the correct time to go, or even if it was actually the correct time to carry on. Our experts said 'yes, our experts'll carry out another year and our experts'll view in January.' But by November-time, Ju00fcrgen said: 'I am actually done.' And I said, 'Yes if that holds true, it's opportunity for me to go as well.' I have actually possessed many, nice deals in the last few years, but I wanted to end up the venture with him. My relationship is actually really powerful along with him: he is actually a sibling, a daddy, an advisor. Beyond my loved ones and also closest good friends, he knows me far better than anyone." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the last opportunity as they trump Wolves 2-0. After being out on the pitch, taking in the unfiltered worship, presenting for plenty of pictures, he found himself back in the innards of Anfield as well as there was an uncommon moment of silent." We 'd had Louise Dobson, the team supervisor, informing our company where to go and also when, as well as our team were actually thus touched [by the celebrations]," he states. "In the long run, it was actually merely Pep and me. We possessed splits in our eyes. We knew our company were actually blessed as well since in our service, you come in with the frontal door as well as they drive you out the back entrance. We were blessed as well as our company might walk out by means of the front door. Our experts composed a publication all together and also was actually the last chapter. As well as our experts enjoyed that as much [as our experts could] given that you understand it's not forever. That is actually lifestyle." After an evening partying, and, according to Klopp, the Lijnders loved ones controling the dance floor, focus counted on the future. Lijnders had actually currently been actually picking up enthusiasm from clubs keen to consult with him about upcoming openings, and also he knew it was actually time for his household to experience something brand new." You have one decade in Liverpool, in Formby, a little town, you possess every little thing there, right?" he claims. "So my children understand absolutely nothing aside from England, Liverpool as well as the nightclub. They believe every coliseum resembles Anfield." Lijnders only spoke with nightclubs who will visit him face to face in Formby, as well as each time he would certainly search for certain warranties. But it was actually Austrian Bundesliga side FC Salzburg that seduced him. The crew had survived a difficult 2023-24 initiative, which saw then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and succeeded the regular season however completed second in the Champion Cycle to Sturm Graz to end their initial trophyless period in a decade.After a browse through to Salzburg to go to the club in person, Lijnders' better half Danielle turned to their youngest kid, Romijn, and also asked: "What perform you consider Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I miss it already." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has made Luis Du00edaz a far better playerESPN FC's Smudge Donaldson as well as Janusz Michallik explain how Liverpool boss Arne Port is obtaining the most ideal away from his team, especially Luis Du00edaz, following their 3-0 draw Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg trumped FC Twente 5-4 on accumulation to apply for the Champions Rank team phase. "Our company desire to be the group that can easily trump any person around the world," Lijnders mentions. "Are our experts there certainly but? No, certainly not ... our experts've simply started. However I wish the followers to think, "fine, this is actually the brand new Salzburg."" Along with his counter-pressing ideology deeply ingrained, Lijnders additionally desires his Salzburg to asphyxiate the opposition. "You can easily participate in a leading design of soccer, where you can have the reception in the opponent's half a whole lot," he incorporates. "Our experts are youthful, our team are talented, we are full of blowing. Our team do not desire the challenger to have any time. There is a lot ability here, so much power, so much youth. "Our company possess a much smaller squad, 16 or even 17 gamers, which gives our company room for the academy." With a trademark of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Soccer from tomorrow] and a past history of unparalleled gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko as well as Dayot Upamecano having actually come through the ranks, the nightclub's concentration is quite on youth the oldest gamers in the squad are actually goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) and Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield players are actually 25. Due to the fact that Lijnders joined, Salzburg have actually already invaded his old club to authorize midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark on lending, while the new supervisor also brought instructors Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer with him.The crazy individuals from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Upward Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool trainers still possess their WhatsApp group accessible it is actually referred to as the "Ruby Dogs," motivated through Apple TV series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the chat is as active as ever, along with Klopp always keeping a shut eye on just how Lijnders is getting on." Everyone with a bit of a football eye may observe his impact," Klopp states. "I adore this nice mix of true magnitude, a clear tip and possession. I told him after a video game lately, you can view this staff has a great trainer. That is actually exactly how I determine trainers my entire lifestyle-- you watch the games, and then you question who trainers all of them. They play well. I think it's a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It's thus smart coming from him, and it's therefore clever coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's organization time began along with 4 victories, a draw as well as a defeat, yet it has likewise found damaging losses to Sparta Prague (3-0) as well as Brest (4-0) in the Champions Game. He received some unfavorable judgment for dealing with crews against Sparta as well as Austria Wien with no Austrian gamers in the sequence, however Lijnders knows there will be times when type plunges and also stress boosts. He is going to stick to his guidelines which have offered him well thus far." It's black as well as lonely when you do not win, and when you enter such a time period, it can be darker, unhappy as well as uneasy," he points out. "However when you're training on the field, helping players improve, I will certainly certainly never receive tired of that. In those seconds you need to hang on to what makes you, as a player, as well as a coach." Every coach will look at tough time frames, however there's absolutely nothing incorrect with that. I know I enjoy with high risk, however likewise high perks. That's that I am. There are actually two fits in football. There's the match on the scoreboard, and the second fit is your identification. You can easily shed one, yet you'll certainly never drop the second suit." I hope you'll observe Salzburg pressing as well as chasing the enemy all over the whole entire sound, as well as coming from all paths. However above all, they are actually doing it together, forever." Added reporting: Sanne truck Dongen as well as Milan van Dongen.