Former Liverpool assistant manager becomes new head coach for RB Salzburg

Pepijn Lijnders has been named the new head coach of Red Bull Salzburg, with Jurgen Klopp's right-hand man venturing out on his own after leaving Anfield. Liverpool's assistant manager was announced to be departing the club immediately following Klopp's announcement earlier this year, putting him away from taking over at Anfield.

On Tuesday, reports surfaced about Salzburg's interest in Lijnders, which swiftly escalated into a statement, with the Dutchman set to take over for the upcoming 2024/25 season. Vitor Matos, Liverpool's current top development coach, is going to accompany him in Austria to serve as an assistant manager.

Upon his announcement as head coach of the Austrian side, he said, “I am very proud to become the new head coach of FC Red Bull Salzburg. This is a real privilege for me. After PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto and Liverpool FC, I am now moving to another exceptional club with a really good structure and a particular focus on youth development.”

He added, “I want to develop a mentality with the team that places a lot of emphasis on attacking style of play and where passion and hunger for success are the basis of everything. Together with my assistant coach Vitor Matos and the entire support team, we will do our best to help the club continue to grow in an ever-changing football world.”

Where has Pepijn Lijnders managed before this?

The Liverpool assistant manager spoke about the final details and why he was confident in choosing RB Salzburg as the next club. He said, “My family has visited the city before and was overwhelmed by its beauty and the friendliness of the people. That was the last and important step for me in choosing FC Red Bull Salzburg.”

Lijnders has only managed NEC Nijmegen briefly before returning to Liverpool as an assistant manager during 2018/19. Salzburg fired Gerhard Struber a month ago, and sister club FC Liefering's Onur Cinel took over on an interim basis.