90min

Former Jurgen Klopp assistant reveals truth behind Liverpool exit

  • Pep Lijnders insists he and Jurgen Klopp wanted to leave Liverpool 'in the right way'
  • Legendary German manager made emotional Anfield exit earlier this year
  • Lijnders now in charge of Austrian side Salzburg

By Jude Summerfield

Lijnders (R) left Liverpool along with Klopp earlier this year
Lijnders (R) left Liverpool along with Klopp earlier this year / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages
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Former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders has revealed it was important for him and legendary manager Jurgen Klopp to leave the club in the right way after their departures earlier this year.

Lijnders had two spells with the Reds, starting under Brendan Rodgers before forming part of the coaching setup that led the Merseysiders to titles in the Premier League and Champions League as well as a smattering of cup triumphs.

The 41-year-old left Anfield to take the manager's job at Salzburg, leading them to fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga and three defeats in the Champions League so far this season.

Speaking about the exit, Lijnders admitted he wanted to get the timing right and also gave a glowing endorsement of incoming coach Arne Slot, who continued his record-breaking start as manager on Wednesday night with a 1-0 away win at RB Leipzig.

He told the Daily Mail: "There has been a lot said already about our exit but the main thing I would like to add is that we really wanted to leave the club in the right way. Announce it early so they have the time to find the right guys, it is not easy to find a coach of the calibre of Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp, Pep Lijnders
Klopp and Lijnders enjoyed great success at Liverpoool / Craig Mercer/MB Media/GettyImages

"What is happening now with Arne, doing the job he is doing...wow, it makes me really grateful. I feel blessed to see it, the way the club is doing and performing on a really high level. Certain players are flourishing and making the next steps.

"That was the whole idea of us leaving early, so this could happen and the club can continue to grow. I owe Liverpool everything. I owe the fans and players everything. It was my life. For 10 years, it was the only thing I thought about.

"All I wanted was to be successful. When I woke up and went to bed, Liverpool was on my mind - even on holidays. It is really nice to see how healthy the club is. Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley would be proud."

Since leaving Liverpool, Klopp has been linked with a number of national team jobs but will get back into football at the start of 2025 when he begins work for Red Bull as an adviser to their network of clubs around the world.

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