Jurgen Klopp's right-hand man Pep Lijnders admits when he knew about Liverpool exit
Pep Lijnders has been Jurgen Klopp's assistant at Liverpool since 2018 and he has now revealed he has known about the German's departure from Anfield since last summer
Jurgen Klopp's assistant manager Pep Lijnders has revealed the German's departure was known last summer.
Lijnders, who was standing in for Klopp at the pre-match match press conference ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, opened up on his departure. He has also officially taken himself out of the race to replace Klopp as Liverpool's boss this summer.
He said: "We knew in the summer, 'OK we are going towards the end of this project'. It's too much about me...we play in a final in 48 hours. I understand, so I think I have given answers in interviews.
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"I always got offers and my heart says yes, but my loyalty to Mike [Gordon] and Jurgen said no. So we agreed to finish this project together and it is the right way to do it. They will find a new coach with ideas and I am excited to manage to find the right club.
"But until the last final of the season I am focused on Liverpool and that is why we have agents, no?"
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After Klopp announced on January 26 that he would be leaving at the end of the season, the Reds started looking for a new manager. Some fans and experts thought Lijnders might take over, given his long-standing role as Klopp's right-hand man.
Klopp praised Lijnders in January, saying: "The most influential guy in the last years definitely in this club was Pep Lijnders," and "The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional."
Lijnders, who joined Liverpool in 2014 as an assistant manager, has made it clear he's leaving with Klopp when the season ends. He said back in January, "It's not easy leaving such a club," and talked about making their last season like 'the Last Dance'. He believes it's the right thing to do.
Xabi Alonso is seemingly the frontrunner to take over at Anfield.
Alonso's team is currently eight points ahead of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Despite being linked with Liverpool and Bayern, who are parting ways with Thomas Tuchel after this season, Alonso has often dismissed rumours about his future.
He insists he's concentrating on the current season. Meanwhile, his sporting director Simon Rolfes is very confident that Alonso will remain at the club beyond the summer.