Ex-Klopp assistant at Liverpool sacked by RB Salzburg after falling ‘far short’

Red Bull Salzburg have sacked manager Pep Lijnders after 16 Austrian Bundesliga matches in charge, saying Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool had overseen performances “far short of our own requirements and aims”.

Dutchman Lijnders was appointed in May after six years in his second spell at Anfield and guided Salzburg to a place in the Champions League through two qualifying ties, as well as winning his first three league matches in charge.

Salzburg won three and lost six of their 12 matches in October and November and are on course for automatic elimination from the Champions League, having lost five and won one of their first six games in Europe.

OFFICIAL: FC Red Bull Salzburg and Pepijn Lijnders are parting ways, the 41-year-old Dutchman was released from his duties today. Thank you for your commitment and all the best for the future, Pep!

— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) December 16, 2024

RB Salzburg: Lijnders ‘provided momentum’

“We began recently to analyse, as planned, what has unfortunately not been a satisfactory season so far,” Salzburg said in a statement, adding that they hope to have a new manager in place when their players resume training on January 3.

“It was clear to see that, in many of our matches, we have been far short of our own requirements and aims. We have therefore become convinced that our team needs a new impulse under new management, even if we continued to hope for a turnaround until the end.

“We would like to thank Pep for his work. He put a lot of effort and passion into it and has provided important momentum for our further development. We are now very intensively looking for a new coach.”

Fifth-placed Salzburg are 10 points behind Austrian leaders Sturm Graz after winning seven of their league games under Lijnders.

“Our friendship is big, our commitment is even bigger. Our loyalty is massive. Together strong.”

An emotional Pep Lijnders on what Jürgen Klopp means to him 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Gjw2JeibOL

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2024

Lijnders: Klopp’s Liverpool assistant

Dutchman Lijnders originally joined Liverpool as a development coach in 2014, becoming Klopp’s assistant following the German’s appointment in 2015.

Lijnders became manager at Dutch team NEC in January 2018 but was sacked less than six months later when they lost in the play-offs for promotion to top flight the Eredivisie.

Klopp reappointed Lijnders a month later, and the pair won the Champions League the following season, as well as the 2019/20 Premier League and the 2021/22 FA Cup.

Red Bull, whose other clubs include German heavyweights RB Leipzig and MLS Cup finalists the New York Red Bulls, will appoint Klopp as their Global Head of Soccer on January 1.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss left Liverpool with his coaching staff at the end of last season because he wanted a break from the demands of management.