.Tom Hamilton, Senior Citizen WriterOct 2, 2024, 05:30 AM ETClose u2022 Joined ESPN in 2011 u2022 Covered 2 Olympics, a set of Rugby Planet Cups as well as 2 British & Irish Lions scenic tours u2022 Previously rugby editor, and also came to be senior author in 2018The walls of Pep Lijnders' garage in his brand new Salzburg home are still bare.The unpacked packages on the floor contain memories of his adventure coming from training apprentice at PSV to coming to be Ju00fcrgen Klopp's "identical companion" at Liverpool, as Klopp calls it. There are actually mounted pictures, t-shirts and also match spheres coming from the several finals he aided the group reach.But there is one other keepsake he treasures most importantly as it summarizes what he is actually enthusiastic concerning developing youth, as well as observing all of them develop on football's most significant phase. Beside some of the fit rounds coming from the 2019 Champions Game last is a photo coming from the events after Liverpool's accomplishment. It is actually a photograph of Lijnders with Trent Alexander-Arnold on his spine. Alexander-Arnold bordered it and also gave it to him when Lijnders left Liverpool together with Klopp in May. The inscription reads: "This is my preferred image people, as well. Thanks for completely whatever. Without you, none of it was actually feasible. Trent." Lijnders has actually received web pages and also webpages of training sessions going back twenty years. His quest began in 2002 as youth train at PSV, in 2006 he relocated to FC Porto, then in 2014 he worked through the Liverpool ranks to come to be an instructor under Brendan Rodgers and Klopp, just before he determined to wear his own throughout a chastening incantation as NEC Nijmegen supervisor in 2018. He went back to Liverpool six months later on with terrific success as well as, as Klopp informed ESPN NL in August, Lijnders was the German's footballing "inspiration for the final nine years." Editor's Picks2 RelatedLijnders is now starting an additional journey at FC Salzburg, wishing to channel influences like Johan Cruyff, the daddy of Dutch "Total Soccer," Italian lofty as well as air conditioning Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi, as well as ex-Feyenoord manager Wiel Coerver while instilling his personal ideology as a "counter-pressing monster," as Klopp places it. Yet this isn't Liverpool 2.0, as well as he's certainly not staying under Klopp's wing.The road from assistant under a well-known manager to supervisor in your personal right is a well-trodden one. There are effectiveness stories: Mikel Arteta left Pep Guardiola's conservation in 2019 for the Collection project and has performed astonishingly effectively in a quick room of time Josu00e9 Mourinho was actually assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona just before bursting out on his own to turn into one of one of the most successful managers of perpetuity new Chelsea employer Enzo Maresca worked under Guardiola while the wonderful Joe Fagan took what he profited from fabulous duo Costs Shankly and Bob Paisley to guide Liverpool to silverware in the 1980s. Yet then there are actually the red flags also: In 1998, Brian Kidd's tenure at Blackburn lasted 11 months after 7 trophy-laden years at Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson John Carver flourished under Robson and Alan Pardew at Newcastle but fell through when he commanded as sitter in 2015. So, it is actually keeping that background of unpredictability that Lijnders is actually going it alone at Salzburg. He wishes his crew to be recognized for his master plan of footballing "strength." Yet he won't be given extremely long a moratorium. His staff have produced a gauged beginning-- succeeding eight from 14 activities, however shedding 4-0 to Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday-- and also while it is actually a group renowned for youth advancement, the supporters expect effectiveness given final season was their very first without silverware for a many years." We are actually trying to make a crew that can defeat anybody in planet football," Lijnders informed ESPN NL in August. "Are we there certainly yet? No, not. However our experts perform course." From Cruyff to KloppPep Lijnders assisted Jurgen Klopp create one of the very best Liverpool staffs in the history of the nightclub. ( Image by John Powell/Liverpool FC through Getty Images) Lijnders' having fun career as a combative midfielder for nearby amateur club SVEB on the Dutch-German border was actually shortened at 17 years old as a result of an ACL trauma. He visited the Central Principle for Athletics Innovator Training (CIOS) to examine as well as began working at PSV Eindhoven, receiving the only mentoring instruction available to pupils on the training program. As he managed his research studies and also his task at PSV, he also organized SVEB's books, where he first tried to implement his theory: a mix of "Total Regulation Football" (a fluid football device motivating positional interchange promoted through Cruyff) and relentless counter-pressing." I had the feeling players came to life when I trained, which provides you confidence," he says.The instruction along with PSV was actually implied to be a five-year job, but he was rewarded a full time agreement after 3 years, and spent the next pair of years flitting between the USA and also the Netherlands along with fellow trainer Frans Hoek while creating talents like Cody Gakpo and also Jordan Teze. He picked up from the fabulous Guus Hiddink when he was actually PSV instructor coming from 2002 to 2006 as well as informs ESPN: "Guus offered colour to Dutch soccer in the method Ju00fcrgen offered colour to German soccer." In 2007, aged 24, Lijnders had passion coming from MTK Budapest, yet took up an agreement at FC Porto where he hung on Vitor Frade's every term. Frade-- appreciated through Mourinho, Andru00e9 Villas-Boas, Robson and also a great number of others-- was an university lecturer that was also assistant supervisor at Porto and the daddy of tactical periodisation (essentially utilizing training as a looking glass for suit magnitude and also rhythm, as opposed to a separated workout). Lijnders remembers their tactical innovations back then as well as breaks into a large smile, referencing an airborne picture he has of one Carbon monoxide Adriaanse's setup where he set up exclusively wingers on the flanks and also no full-backs. During the time it blew his mind.In Portugal, Lijnders operated to spearhead Porto's "Job 611," a sunshade term for the club's strategy to re-think the institute's partnership with the first string. "I taught all the groups-- U19 in the morning, U15 in the afternoon, and also U12 as well as U11 at night," he states. "In some cases I would certainly have 40 gamers, however I really did not talk a term of Portuguese." Regardless of that obstacle, Porto developed. The club carried through talents like Jou00e3o Fu00e9lix, Andru00e9 Gomes, Andru00e9 Silva, Fabio Vieira and Diogo Dalot. There was actually also midfielder Ru00faben Neves, a gamer that captained Lijnders' young people staffs at Porto, acted as linguist, and also an individual that Lijnders created that he "likes to littles" in his 2022 manual "Strength."" That is actually why I love football so much," Lijnders points out. "The connection you build with the gamers. If that bond isn't certainly there, there is actually no chance to results." He was sounded out by Rene Meulensteen in very early 2013 as a possible addition to Ferguson's backroom personnel at Male United, but that broke down when Ferguson retired at the end of that time. As well as by mid-2014, Lijnders was ready for a new difficulty. While studying for his UEFA coaching badges under the guidance of the Welsh FA, Lijnders had actually obtained a young people train job at Liverpool job, so the nightclub delivered U23 supervisor Michael Beale and institute supervisor Alex Inglethorpe to listen to one of his presentations. It did the job: "Michael claimed to me, 'Pepijn, you're certainly not flying back to Porto, you are actually including me to Liverpool.'" Some Of Pep Lijnders' essential capabilities was actually supporting and also determining institute skill before giving them an odds to increase through the positions. ( Photo through Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Photos) Lijnders flew to Liverpool that evening, was actually put up in a lodging, and also for 3 times they chatted. It found yourself with Liverpool providing Lijnders a deal to take charge of the U16 and also U15s: a group that included Rhian Brewster, Ben Woodburn, Caoimhu00edn Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and also, notably, captain Alexander-Arnold. That summer months Lijnders was actually ensured to a task with the first team under Rodgers, but when the Northern Irishman was actually sacked on Oct. 4, 2005, Mike Gordon (head of state of the club's managers Fenway Athletics Group) inquired Lijnders to maintain Liverpool's training school Melwood beating over while they worked at Klopp. Certainly, when the German consumed there were no promises he was visiting maintain Lijnders. Many of Rodgers' personnel had left actually, however Gordon talked to the new manager to keep a number of trainers from the previous routine. Klopp still possessed veto power, but was open to the idea.The initially was actually John Achtenberg. "Excellent, due to the fact that I failed to have a goalkeeping train," Klopp bears in mind saying to Gordon. He inquired his brand new employer: "What performs the other fella perform?" Gordon claimed Lijnders was actually a "technological train" an expert in tiding over in between young people and also first string." In Germany, no one pays for a coach like that," Klopp tells ESPN. "They would certainly claim, 'You want a second aide wherefore? What are you carrying out?' Thus, I liked the tip a lot." It was actually a luxury to Klopp, yet he still didn't understand a lot about this young Dutch instructor. Therefore on his opening night at the club, the new-look Liverpool control met for supper in the Hope Street Lodging. Klopp had his trusted team Zeljko Buvac as well as Peter Krawietz there with him, yet he wanted to learn more about the brand new skins. Achtenberg rested to one side of him Lijnders to the other. "It was basically adore at first sight," Klopp says of Lijnders. "I observed his enthusiasm for every thing." Klopp likewise saw the amount of Lijnders respected him. "I don't observe on my own as an awesome train," he claims. "I know some people for some reason presume that, and also you might see it in Pep's eyes. You might observe him presume, 'I a lot better pay attention.' That's how it began. By the end, we were actually identical companions." play1:40 Michallik: Slot creating Liverpool's post-Klopp change painlessJanusz Michallik claims the most significant praise you can easily spend Arne Slot is that he's stopped experts referring to life after Jurgen Klopp.Blossoming at AnfieldLijnders' first task under Klopp was as elite progression instructor. He likes flipcharts and also each element of his military eyesight was actually written down on these extensive notepads. Klopp keeps in mind those very early conferences, and just how whenever he would certainly talk, he would certainly hear Lijnders' pen jotting away, noting down everything he said.At this stage, Klopp contacted Buvac the "mind" as well as Krawietz the "eye." Chatting in 2017 to LFC TELEVISION, Klopp claimed: "Pep has ended up being incredibly significant quickly given that he composes everything down. He is actually likewise component of 'the human brain' considering that he is our mind to keep in mind the important things what our team performed in previous treatments ... I acquired the Dutch train who was actually resisted to property! Dutch football is possession-based: it's Complete Regulation Football, Cruyff. However he was a counter-pressing monster. I loved his excitement as well as the technique he leaves the saddle when he speaks about soccer." Some of his best payments because initial period at Liverpool came in pushing Klopp to offer a number of the institute gamers an odds in the first team, along with Alexander-Arnold among the initial ensured in 2016 at the age of 18." I might write a book regarding the second he to begin with told me about Trent Alexander-Arnold," Klopp tells ESPN. "Our experts opened the door Trent operated right through it. His correct feet is actually absurd. The Trent highlights video is actually preposterous. You do not require the goals, it is actually the successfully pases, you view the successfully pases and also assume 'How is actually that possible?' It is actually an entirely various sport." Lijnders likewise possessed a large effect in tiding over in between first string as well as academy. "I learnt from him," Klopp includes. "He opened my thoughts for various things in regulation football. As we all age, the proximity between you and also the grow older of the player team grows. My two children kept me in contact keeping that creation, however of course, the newest generation of world-class coaches are currently on the market. There is actually always alter, advancement and also improvement. Pep opened my eyes for those type of things.Pep Lijnders possessed a quick stint at Dutch edge NEC Nijmegen prior to rejoining Liverpool in 2018. ( Image by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC using Getty Images) Under Klopp, Lijnders said even more task: preparing training and the timetable around suits. Off the sound, the two routinely played padel as well as ended up being astonishingly close friends.Liverpool completed fourth in 2016-17 yet, midway via the following initiative, Lijnders was actually being sounded out about a head-coach setting of his own spine in the Netherlands. Interested to return to his home to become with his daddy as he battled cancer, the 34-year-old made a decision to take the leading job at then-second branch side NEC Nijmegen on Jan. 2, 2018. His goal was to protect promotion back to the Eredivisie, however it confirmed to become an unfortunate incantation and also they shed in the playoffs to FC Emmen. After over five months in the duty, he left through mutual deal on Might 17." I have actually constantly taken total task and also never said a negative phrase regarding NEC," Lijnders claims. "It's a stunning club, however occasionally the timing is wrong. At times there is no click, or even sometimes you participate in a club where you need to have patience. Yet I take accountability. I don't want to claim way too much about it, since everything I state can come upon incorrect. I discovered a lot to take right into my following job." Back at Anfield, Buvac had moved on in April as well as Klopp was actually seeking a new assistant. Certainly, he yearned for Lijnders back.One day, Lijnders was in the yard along with his wife Danielle and mommy when his phone called. It was Klopp, and also Danielle asked what decision had to do with. "He informed me our company're visiting dominate the globe," Lijnders said to her.Just 19 times after he left behind NEC, Lijnders' visit as Klopp's assistant manager was declared on June 5." All of us know there is actually a widely known phrase: 'You may find out more from beats than coming from continuous success,'" Klopp says. "I am actually unsure it [Lijnders' time at NEC] was a genuine defeat, but it wasn't well ready, I presume our company can state that. Our experts failed to speak a whole lot concerning it, it was actually not required. I was merely happy he returned." A golden returnPep Lijnders and also Jurgen Klopp posture along with the FA Mug and also the Carabao Mug trophy in the course of the Liverpool march on May 29, 2022. ( Photo through Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Over the next couple of years, Klopp and Lijnders would certainly obtain impressive excellence together at Liverpool. The glorious moment was the 2019 Champions Game final sway Tottenham Hotspur, yet that was actually simply among an amount of trophies consisting of the 2019-20 Premier Game title, 2022 FA Mug, 2019 Club Planet Mug, and also 2022 as well as 2024 Organization Cups.Lijnders sympathized all the vital seconds, both in the public eye as well as in the darkness as they sketched their excellence. He was actually translator on decision when Klopp was actually trying to convince Porto winger Luis Du00edaz to sign up with the group in January 2022, and remembers sitting in Klopp's cooking area attempting to work out just how to persuade centre-back Virgil van Dijk to sign coming from Southampton in January 2018. But by means of all the happiness as well as problems, the work took its own toll. And also just before the 2023-24 period started, Klopp and Lijnders began to think about the finishing factor." It was happening in the [2023] summer season, [with] a really difficult year behind us," Lijnders claims of a project where the group ended up 5th and also were knocked senseless of the Champions League in the round of 16. "Our experts were happy our experts won the last 8, nine activities of the period, our experts still mosted likely to Europe. We modified the unit Trent went a lot more inside [to participate in as a midfielder]" In the summer our experts currently talked about if it was the correct time to go, or if it was the correct time to proceed. Our company mentioned 'yes, our team'll carry out one more year as well as we'll observe in January.' Yet by November-time, Ju00fcrgen claimed: 'I am actually performed.' As well as I said, 'Yes if that's the case, it's opportunity for me to go as well.' I have actually had numerous, nice promotions in the last few years, however I wished to complete the task along with him. My hookup is very powerful along with him: he's a brother, a dad, a mentor. Away from my family members and also closest pals, he recognizes me better than any person." On Might 19, 2024, Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the ultimate opportunity as they beat Wolves 2-0. After being out on the pitch, penetrating the unfiltered worship, posturing for many photographs, he found himself back in the insides of Anfield as well as there was actually an uncommon minute of silent." Our experts would certainly had Louise Dobson, the staff supervisor, informing us where to go as well as when, and our team were actually thus touched [by the events]," he states. "Ultimately, it was merely Pep and me. Our company possessed tears in our eyes. We understood our experts were honored as well since in our service, you come in by means of the main door and they push you out the back door. We were actually honored as well as our team could possibly go out with the front door. Our experts wrote a publication with each other and also was the final section. As well as we took pleasure in that as much [as our company can] because you know it's certainly not for life. That is actually life." After a night partying, as well as, according to Klopp, the Lijnders family controling the dancing floor, attention looked to the future. Lijnders had actually currently been picking up enthusiasm coming from nightclubs keen to speak with him about upcoming opportunities, and also he understood it was actually time for his family members to experience one thing brand new." You possess 10 years in Liverpool, in Formby, a tiny community, you have whatever there certainly, right?" he states. "Therefore my young boys know absolutely nothing other than England, Liverpool as well as the club. They assume every stadium feels like Anfield." Lijnders just spoke with clubs who would see him in person in Formby, and each opportunity he 'd search for specific assurances. But it was actually Austrian Bundesliga side FC Salzburg that seduced him. The crew possessed sustained a challenging 2023-24 initiative, which found then-manager Gerhard Struber sacked in April, and succeeded the regular time but ended up second in the Championship Round to Sturm Graz to finish their very first trophyless season in a decade.After a browse through to Salzburg to visit the club in person, Lijnders' other half Danielle counted on their youngest child, Romijn, and also inquired: "What do you consider Salzburg?" Romijn addressed: "I skip it actually." play1:34 Michallik: Arne Port has actually made Luis Du00edaz a better playerESPN FC's Spot Donaldson and Janusz Michallik cover exactly how Liverpool manager Arne Port is actually receiving the most effective away from his squad, in particular Luis Du00edaz, observing their 3-0 win over Bournemouth.New beginningsOn Aug. thirteen, 2024, Salzburg beat FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate to get approved for the Champions Circle team phase. "Our experts want to be actually the crew that can easily beat any person in the world," Lijnders points out. "Are we there certainly however? No, naturally certainly not ... our company've only begun. Yet I yearn for the supporters to think, "okay, this is the new Salzburg."" With his counter-pressing viewpoint heavily deep-rooted, Lijnders likewise wants his Salzburg to stifle the opposition. "You can participate in a prevalent type of football, where you can easily have the reception in the challenger's half a lot," he includes. "Our company are actually younger, our company excel, our experts teem with bravado. Our experts do not yearn for the challenger to possess at any time. There is a great deal ability listed below, a lot energy, a great deal youth. "Our experts have a much smaller team, 16 or even 17 gamers, and also provides our company room for the institute." With a slogan of "Fuu00dfball von morgen" [Football from tomorrow] and a record of first-rate players like Erling Haaland, Sadio Manu00e9, Dominik Szoboszlai, Benjamin Sesko as well as Dayot Upamecano having come by means of the ranks, the nightclub's emphasis is actually quite on youth the earliest gamers in the team are goalkeepers Janis Blaswich (33) and Alexander Schlager (28 ), while the oldest outfield gamers are actually 25. Because Lijnders participated in, Salzburg have presently plundered his aged club to sign midfielders Stefan Bajcetic as well as Bobby Clark on loan, while the new manager also took trainers Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer along with him.The crazy men from Salzburg u2764 pic.twitter.com/DrsXmSKwJ8u2014 FC Reddish Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) August 27, 2024 The aged Liverpool instructors still possess their WhatsApp team open it is actually knowned as the "Gemstone Canine," inspired through Apple TV series Ted Lasso. When Salzburg play, the conversation is as active as ever before, with Klopp maintaining a near eye on how Lijnders is making out." Everybody along with a little a regulation football eye can easily observe his effect," Klopp says. "I adore this nice mix of genuine intensity, a crystal clear concept as well as property. I informed him after a video game lately, you may view this staff possesses a really good coach. That's exactly how I judge instructors my entire lifestyle-- you enjoy the video games, and then you wonder who trainers all of them. They participate in properly. I believe it is actually a win-win situation for him at Salzburg. It is actually thus wise from him, and also it's therefore clever from Salzburg." Salzburg's game time began with four success, a draw as well as a defeat, but it has actually also found detrimental reductions to Sparta Prague (3-0) and Brest (4-0) in the Champions Organization. He acquired some critical remarks for picking up staffs against Sparta and also Austria Wien without any Austrian players in the lineup, yet Lijnders recognizes there will definitely be actually times when kind sags and stress increases. He will certainly follow his guidelines which have actually offered him well thus far." It's dark and alone when you don't gain, and also when you get into such a duration, it may be darker, lonesome as well as annoying," he states. "But when you are actually educating on the area, assisting gamers enhance, I will definitely never obtain tired of that. In those minutes you need to hold on to what creates you, as a player, and a coach." Every trainer will go through challenging periods, but there is actually absolutely nothing wrong keeping that. I recognize I play with high threat, but additionally high perks. That's that I am actually. There are two fits in football. There is actually the match on the scoreboard, and the second suit is your identification. You can shed one, yet you'll certainly never shed the second suit." I hope you'll see Salzburg mashing and going after the challenger throughout the whole entire sound, and also from all directions. However most importantly, they are actually performing it together, for good." Additional reporting: Sanne vehicle Dongen and also Milan vehicle Dongen.