Pep Lijnders Credits Klopp’s Blessing for Man City Move and Sets Out Youth-Focused Refresh

The Manchester City assistant spoke in Guardiola’s place, highlighting the trust that drew him to the role.

Overview

Lijnders confirmed he joined City in June as Guardiola’s assistant, replacing Juanma Lillo after more than six years working under Jurgen Klopp and a brief spell managing Red Bull Salzburg.
He said Klopp urged him to accept Guardiola’s offer, joking that Klopp told him he would take the assistant job himself if Lijnders declined.
Lijnders praised Guardiola’s intensity, clarity and care for his staff, saying the manager’s early trust made the decision straightforward.
Framing the present challenge as renewing a team that has won repeatedly, he noted City fielded their youngest Champions League group in years, using seven players under 22 alongside senior leaders such as Rodri, Bernardo, Ruben and John.
City sit second in the Premier League, seven points behind Arsenal, with Tottenham up on Sunday and a return to Anfield the following weekend.