Pep Lijnders, Liverpool’s assistant manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of Red Bull Salzburg.
The Dutchman, set to leave Liverpool alongside Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, was unveiled as the new first-team boss of the Austrian Bundesliga side on Wednesday afternoon. He has inked a three-year contract that stretches until the summer of 2027 and will have Victor Matos by his side as assistant coach.
Lijnders is slated to assume control at the beginning of pre-season as Salzburg gears up for the upcoming campaign. “I deeply honor taking on the role of head coach at FC Red Bull Salzburg,” remarked Lijnders.
“This opportunity is incredibly special to me. Having worked with PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto, and Liverpool FC. I am now transitioning to another remarkable club with a strong infrastructure and a dedicated focus on nurturing young talent.
“My objective is to instill a mindset within the team that prioritizes an attacking style of play, where determination and a hunger for success serve as the foundation for everything.
“Alongside my assistant coach Vitor Matos and the entire support staff. We commit to contributing to the club’s continued growth in an ever-evolving football landscape,” stated Lijnders.
“My family had chance to explore city previously and were captivated by its charm and the warmth of its people. This was a significant factor in my decision to join FC Red Bull Salzburg.”
Lijnders joined Liverpool in 2014 as the Under 16s coach in the club’s academy before being elevated to the role of first-team development coach a year later. Initially serving under Brendan Rodgers, he retained his position when Jurgen Klopp assumed the managerial reins in October 2015.
Following a managerial stint with NEC Nijmegen in his native Netherlands. Lijnders returned to Liverpool as assistant manager at the start of the 2018/19 season. He played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph and their subsequent Premier League title win.
Having spent six years as Klopp’s assistant, both Lijnders and Klopp will bid farewell to Liverpool after their final match of the season against Wolves on Sunday. It promises to be an emotional occasion for all involved. Especially with Liverpool securing a third-place finish in the Premier League table.
Matos, who has served as an elite development coach at Liverpool for the past four-and-a-half years. Will join Lijnders to form a new-look management team at Red Bull Salzburg.
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