.Tom Hamilton, Elder WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby Planet Cups as well as pair of British & Irish Lions trips u2022 Previously rugby editor, as well as became senior author in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his new Salzburg home are actually still bare.The unpacked containers on the floor have memories of his experience coming from coaching student at PSV to ending up being Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "identical partner" at Liverpool, as Klopp phones it. There are mounted photos, t shirts as well as suit rounds from the a number of finals he aided the team reach.But there is another memento he enjoys most importantly as it sums up what he's enthusiastic about establishing young people, and finding all of them flourish on regulation football's most significant phase. Close to some of the match spheres from the 2019 Champions Game last is a photo from the events after Liverpool's conquest. It is actually a photo of Lijnders along with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold framed it and gave it to him when Lijnders left Liverpool together with Klopp in May. The caption reads: "This is my favourite image of us, too. Thank you for positively every little thing. Without you, none of it was achievable. Trent." Lijnders has got pages as well as web pages of instruction sessions going back 20 years. His quest started in 2002 as young people train at PSV, in 2006 he moved to FC Porto, then in 2014 he worked through the Liverpool places to come to be a trainer under Brendan Rodgers as well as Klopp, prior to he determined to try on his very own throughout a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He went back to Liverpool six months eventually along with fantastic results and, as Klopp informed ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "creativity for the final nine years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is actually now plunging into an additional journey at FC Salzburg, wishing to route influences like Johan Cruyff, the father of Dutch "Complete Soccer," Italian ideal and also air conditioning Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, and ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his personal viewpoint as a "counter-pressing creature," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, and also he's not living under Klopp's wing.The path from aide under a widely known manager to manager in your own right is a well-trodden one. There are actually effectiveness stories: Mikel Arteta left behind Pep Guardiola's stewardship in 2019 for the Arsenal project as well as has done incredibly well in a quick space of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was actually assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona before breaking out on his own to turn into one of the most successful supervisors of all time brand-new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca functioned under Guardiola while the terrific Joe Fagan took what he learned from epic duo Bill Shankly as well as Bob Paisley to steer Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. But after that there are actually the deterrent examples too: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United along with Sir Alex Ferguson John Sculptor succeeded under Robson and also Alan Pardew at Newcastle yet flopped when he commanded as carer in 2015. Therefore, it is actually with that record of unpredictability that Lijnders is going it alone at Salzburg. He wishes his staff to be recognized for his master plan of footballing "strength." But he will not be provided extremely long a moratorium. His group have created a measured beginning-- gaining eight coming from 14 video games, but losing 4-0 to Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday-- as well as while it's a team renowned for youth advancement, the supporters count on effectiveness provided final time was their initial without cutlery for a many years." We're attempting to generate a team that can easily beat any person in planet volleyball," Lijnders told ESPN NL in August. "Are we there certainly yet? No, absolutely not. However we perform course." Coming From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders helped Jurgen Klopp build among the most effective Liverpool groups in the history of the club. ( Picture through John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Lijnders' playing profession as a combative midfielder for nearby amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German perimeter was actually stopped at 17 years of ages due to an ACL accident. He visited the Central Principle for Sports Forerunner Instruction (CIOS) to research as well as began operating at PSV Eindhoven, obtaining the only training apprenticeship available to trainees on the training course. As he juggled his researches as well as his project at PSV, he also organized SVEB's books, where he first attempted to execute his theory: a mix of "Complete Regulation Football" (a fluid soccer body promoting positional interchange promoted by Cruyff) as well as relentless counter-pressing." I possessed the feeling players revived when I coached, which gives you self-confidence," he says.The apprenticeship along with PSV was meant to be a five-year project, yet he was actually rewarded a permanent arrangement after 3 years, and also invested the upcoming pair of years sweeping in between the USA and also the Netherlands along with fellow trainer Frans Hoek while developing skills like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He profited from the fabulous Guus Hiddink when he was actually PSV coach from 2002 to 2006 as well as tells ESPN: "Guus gave colour to Dutch soccer in the means Ju00fcrgen provided colour to German soccer." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had interest coming from MTK Budapest, however used up an arrangement at FC Porto where he held on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- admired by Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and many others-- was actually a college lecturer who was likewise assistant supervisor at Porto as well as the dad of planned periodisation (essentially making use of instruction as a mirror for match intensity as well as rhythm, instead of an isolated physical exercise). Lijnders remembers their tactical innovations at the time and get into a wide smile, referencing a flying photo he has of one Co Adriaanse's configuration where he released exclusively wingers on the flanks and no full-backs. At that time it wasted his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders functioned to spearhead Porto's "Venture 611," a sunshade phrase for the nightclub's program to re-think the institute's relationship along with the first string. "I educated all the crews-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the afternoon, and U12 as well as U11 at night," he says. "Sometimes I would certainly have 40 players, but I really did not talk a word of Portuguese." Even with that barricade, Porto grew. The club taken with talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira as well as Diogo Dalot. There was also midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a player who captained Lijnders' young people teams at Porto, acted as linguist, as well as a person who Lijnders created that he "really loves to littles" in his 2022 book "Strength."" That's why I like regulation football so much," Lijnders states. "The relationship you create along with the gamers. If that bond isn't certainly there, there is actually no chance to results." He was appeared out by Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as an achievable enhancement to Ferguson's backroom workers at Man United, yet that fell down when Ferguson retired at the end of that period. As well as through mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a brand new problem. While examining for his UEFA training symbols under the support of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had gotten a young people instructor openings at Liverpool job, so the nightclub sent U23 manager Michael Beale and institute director Alex Inglethorpe to listen closely to one of his presentations. It did the job: "Michael mentioned to me, 'Pepijn, you're not soaring back to Porto, you are actually possessing me to Liverpool.'" Some Of Pep Lijnders' crucial capabilities was actually nourishing and identifying academy ability prior to providing an opportunity to increase with the rankings. ( Image through Cees truck Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Images) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that evening, was actually installed in a hotels and resort, as well as for three days they spoke. It found yourself along with Liverpool delivering Lijnders an arrangement to take charge of the U16 and U15s: a team that featured Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and also, particularly, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summertime Lijnders was actually ensured to a job with the first team under Rodgers, yet when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (president of the club's managers Fenway Sports Team) inquired Lijnders to keep Liverpool's training school Melwood ticking over while they worked at Klopp. Naturally, when the German consumed there were no promises he was going to maintain Lijnders. Numerous of Rodgers' team had left behind actually, however Gordon talked to the brand-new supervisor to continue a couple of trains from the previous program. Klopp still had veto power, however was open to the idea.The first was actually John Achtenberg. "Good, considering that I didn't possess a goalkeeping trainer," Klopp keeps in mind saying to Gordon. He inquired his brand-new employer: "What does the other man do?" Gordon claimed Lijnders was a "technical trainer" a specialist in bridging the gap in between young people as well as first string." In Germany, no one pays for an instructor like that," Klopp says to ESPN. "They 'd claim, 'You really want a second assistant for what? What are you doing?' Therefore, I liked the concept a lot." It was a high-end to Klopp, however he still really did not recognize a lot concerning this young Dutch trainer. Therefore on his opening night at the nightclub, the new-look Liverpool control got to know for dinner in the Chance Street Hotels And Resort. Klopp had his trusted workers Zeljko Buvac and also Peter Krawietz there along with him, however he desired to get to know the brand-new skins. Achtenberg rested away of him Lijnders to the various other. "It was actually essentially adore at first sight," Klopp mentions of Lijnders. "I found his interest for whatever." Klopp likewise viewed the amount of Lijnders recognized him. "I do not see myself as a remarkable instructor," he claims. "I know some folks somehow presume that, and you might view it in Pep's eyes. You can find him believe, 'I much better listen.' That is actually just how it started. Due to the end, our experts were actually identical partners." play1:40 Michallik: Slot producing Liverpool's post-Klopp switch painlessJanusz Michallik says the most significant compliment you may pay Arne Slot is that he's quit experts talking about lifestyle after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' 1st function under Klopp was actually as elite development trainer. He adores flipcharts and also each aspect of his planned vision was made a note of on these large papers. Klopp keeps in mind those early meetings, and just how whenever he 'd speak, he will hear Lijnders' marker scribbling away, noting down everything he said.At this stage, Klopp called Buvac the "human brain" and Krawietz the "eye." Speaking in 2017 to LFC TV, Klopp stated: "Pep has ended up being incredibly essential in a short time since he creates every little thing down. He is additionally component of 'the human brain' due to the fact that he is our mind to bear in mind the important things what we did in previous treatments ... I obtained the Dutch coach who was resisted to property! Dutch football is possession-based: it's Complete Regulation Football, Cruyff. Yet he was actually a counter-pressing monster. I adored his exhilaration as well as the technique he leaves the burdened when he discusses football." Among his best contributions in that 1st duration at Liverpool was available in pushing Klopp to provide a few of the institute players a possibility in the first string, along with Alexander-Arnold some of the first advertised in 2016 at the grow older of 18." I can compose a publication about the second he initially informed me regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp informs ESPN. "Our company opened the door Trent ran right through it. His ideal foot is outrageous. The Trent highlights online video is absurd. You don't require the objectives, it's the passes, you watch the passes as well as assume 'Exactly how is that feasible?' It is actually a totally different sport." Lijnders additionally had a huge impact in bridging the gap in between first string and academy. "I profited from him," Klopp adds. "He opened my mind for different points in football. As most of us age, the proximity between you and also the grow older of the player team gets bigger. My two kids maintained me in contact with that production, but naturally, the newest generation of first-rate coaches are actually already on the market. There's constantly alter, progression and also improvement. Pep opened my eyes for those sort of things.Pep Lijnders had a short assignment at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen before returning Liverpool in 2018. ( Photo through Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders assumed much more responsibility: organizing instruction and the timetable around matches. Off the sound, both frequently played padel as well as became incredibly close friends.Liverpool completed fourth in 2016-17 but, midway by means of the complying with project, Lijnders was being sounded out regarding a head-coach position of his very own back in the Netherlands. Interested to return to his birthplace to be with his papa as he fought cancer, the 34-year-old decided to take the best work at then-second division edge NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His goal was to protect promotion back to the Eredivisie, however it verified to become a misfortunate incantation as well as they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over 5 months in the job, he left through shared agreement on Might 17." I have actually constantly taken complete duty and also never ever claimed a negative word about NEC," Lijnders states. "It is actually a beautiful club, however sometimes the timing is actually wrong. At times there is actually no click, or even in some cases you participate in a nightclub where you need to have persistence. But I take responsibility. I do not would like to mention way too much regarding it, due to the fact that everything I state could possibly discover incorrect. I discovered a lot to take into my next task." Back at Anfield, Buvac had gone on in April and also Klopp was looking for a brand-new aide. Of course, he yearned for Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders remained in the garden with his wife Danielle as well as mama when his phone sounded. It was actually Klopp, and Danielle asked what the call was about. "He informed me our company are actually visiting control the world," Lijnders told her.Just 19 times after he left behind NEC, Lijnders' appointment as Klopp's assistant supervisor was revealed on June 5." Most of us know there is actually a widely known phrase: 'You can find out more from defeats than coming from steady triumph,'" Klopp claims. "I am actually uncertain it [Lijnders' opportunity at NEC] was a genuine loss, but it had not been properly equipped, I think we can point out that. Our experts failed to speak a lot concerning it, it was actually not needed. I was merely delighted he came back." A gold returnPep Lijnders as well as Jurgen Klopp present with the FA Mug and also the Carabao Mug trophy throughout the Liverpool procession on Might 29, 2022. ( Picture through Jan Kruger/Getty Graphics) Over the next couple of years, Klopp as well as Lijnders would achieve exceptional excellence all together at Liverpool. The glorious minute was actually the 2019 Champions Organization last get Tottenham Hotspur, yet that was actually merely some of a variety of trophies consisting of the 2019-20 Premier Organization label, 2022 FA Cup, 2019 Group World Cup, and 2022 and 2024 Game Cups.Lijnders sympathized all the essential moments, both well-known and in the shades as they sketched their success. He was explainer on decision when Klopp was actually attempting to urge Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to join the club in January 2022, and bears in mind partaking Klopp's kitchen area making an effort to exercise just how to persuade centre-back Virgil van Dijk to sign coming from Southampton in January 2018. But through all the pleasure and setbacks, the task took its own cost. And just before the 2023-24 period began, Klopp and also Lijnders began to plan for the finishing factor." It was happening in the [2023] summertime, [along with] a really complicated year behind our team," Lijnders states of an initiative where the group ended up 5th and were actually knocked out of the Champions Organization in the around of 16. "Our team enjoyed our company gained the last 8, 9 games of the period, we still mosted likely to Europe. Our company modified the body Trent went more inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summertime our experts actually reviewed if it was actually the correct time to go, or even if it was the correct time to continue. Our experts claimed 'yes, our experts'll perform another year and also our company'll observe in January.' But by November-time, Ju00fcrgen claimed: 'I'm carried out.' And I claimed, 'Yes if that's the case, it's opportunity for me to go also.' I've possessed many, good promotions over the last few years, yet I wished to complete the venture with him. My relationship is actually quite tough along with him: he is actually a brother, a daddy, a mentor. Outside of my loved ones and closest friends, he understands me better than any person." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the ultimate time as they defeat Wolves 2-0. After being actually out on the pitch, soaking in the unfiltered adulation, presenting for a great number of pictures, he located themself back in the abdomens of Anfield and there was an unusual moment of silent." Our team would certainly had Louise Dobson, the group manager, telling us where to go and when, and also we were actually therefore touched [by the parties]," he mentions. "In the end, it was only Pep as well as me. Our company had tears in our eyes. We knew we were actually blessed too because in our service, you are available in with the front door and they push you out the back door. Our company were actually blessed and also we could head out by means of the frontal door. Our experts wrote a book all together and also was the last section. And also we enjoyed that as much [as our company can] due to the fact that you know it's certainly not permanently. That's lifestyle." After an evening partying, and also, depending on to Klopp, the Lijnders household controling the dancing floor, attention turned to the future. Lijnders had currently been actually dealing with interest from nightclubs keen to speak to him concerning upcoming opportunities, and he knew it was actually opportunity for his family members to experience one thing brand new." You have ten years in Liverpool, in Formby, a tiny community, you possess whatever there certainly, right?" he claims. "So my boys know nothing at all apart from England, Liverpool and the club. They believe every arena resembles Anfield." Lijnders merely contacted clubs who would visit him face to face in Formby, and also each opportunity he will search for specific promises. But it was Austrian Bundesliga edge FC Salzburg that seduced him. The staff possessed endured a difficult 2023-24 campaign, which viewed then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, as well as succeeded the regular time yet finished second in the Champion Cycle to Sturm Graz to finish their first trophyless time in a decade.After a see to Salzburg to see the nightclub in person, Lijnders' better half Danielle relied on their youngest boy, Romijn, as well as asked: "What perform you consider Salzburg?" Romijn answered: "I overlook it presently." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Slot has actually made Luis Du00edaz a much better playerESPN FC's Mark Donaldson and Janusz Michallik cover exactly how Liverpool manager Arne Slot is acquiring the greatest away from his squad, in particular Luis Du00edaz, following their 3-0 gain Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. 13, 2024, Salzburg trumped FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to get the Champions League team stage. "We desire to be actually the staff that can easily defeat anybody in the world," Lijnders points out. "Are we there however? No, naturally not ... our experts've only started. Yet I prefer the enthusiasts to think, "ok, this is actually the brand new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing philosophy heavily inherent, Lijnders also desires his Salzburg to stifle the opposition. "You may participate in a dominant type of soccer, where you can easily possess the reception in the challenger's half a whole lot," he adds. "We are actually young, we are talented, our team are full of bravado. Our company do not desire the rival to possess whenever. There is so much talent right here, a great deal power, a lot youth. "Our team possess a smaller squad, 16 or even 17 players, and that gives our company space for the academy." With a mantra of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Regulation football coming from tomorrow] as well as a history of world-class gamers like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko and also Dayot Upamecano having come with the positions, the club's focus is actually very much on youth the oldest players in the team are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) as well as Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield gamers are actually 25. Because Lijnders signed up with, Salzburg have actually actually invaded his aged club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic as well as Bobby Clark on car loan, while the new manager additionally delivered trainers Vitor Matos as well as Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The mad guys coming from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The old Liverpool trainers still possess their WhatsApp team accessible it's referred to as the "Precious stone Dogs," inspired through Apple TV program Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the conversation is as active as ever, with Klopp maintaining a shut eye on how Lijnders is actually making out." Everyone with a bit of a regulation football eye can see his influence," Klopp claims. "I like this pleasant mix of true magnitude, a crystal clear tip and also things. I told him after a video game recently, you can easily view this staff possesses a good trainer. That's how I evaluate instructors my whole lifestyle-- you check out the video games, and after that you question who instructors all of them. They play effectively. I presume it is actually a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It's thus clever from him, and it's thus smart coming from Salzburg." Salzburg's game season began along with four triumphes, a draw and a loss, yet it has additionally seen detrimental reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and Brest (4-0) in the Champions Game. He received some objection for fielding groups versus Sparta and Austria Wien without any Austrian gamers in the lineup, but Lijnders recognizes there will definitely be actually opportunities when kind drops as well as stress rises. He is going to stay with his principles which have served him well up until now." It is actually darker as well as alone when you don't win, and when you get into such a time period, it may be darker, unhappy and also unpleasant," he claims. "But when you are actually training on the industry, helping gamers boost, I will never get tired of that. In those minutes you have to hold on to what creates you, as a gamer, as well as an instructor." Every instructor will certainly experience hard periods, however there's nothing wrong keeping that. I recognize I have fun with higher danger, however also high benefit. That's that I am. There are actually 2 fits in regulation football. There's the fit on the scoreboard, and also the second suit is your identification. You can drop one, yet you'll never ever shed the 2nd complement." I hope you'll view Salzburg pressing and going after the enemy all over the whole entire pitch, and from all instructions. Yet most importantly, they are actually doing it together, for good." Additional reporting: Sanne truck Dongen and Milan truck Dongen.