Pep Lijnders reveals private Jurgen Klopp talks about becoming next Liverpool manager

Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Pep Lijnders has talked about the conversation he had with Jurgen Klopp about replacing the German as Reds manager this summer

Pep Lijnders has revealed that Jurgen Klopp had previously asked him if he would be interested in becoming Liverpool's next manager.

Klopp will leave Liverpool this summer after nearly nine years as Reds manager. Lijnders has been the German's assistant for the majority of his time in the Anfield dugout and was linked with succeeding the 56-year-old this summer.

It was confirmed this week that Arne Slot will be Liverpool's new head coach, replacing Klopp in the role officially on June 1. Slot will bring his own backroom staff, with Lijnders joining his boss in leaving the club this summer.

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Before Slot's name emerged as the leading candidate to be the next Liverpool manager, several names were linked with the job. Lijnders' name was mentioned in some reports, although it was confirmed after Klopp's announcement in January that he would also be leaving the Reds this summer.

Lijnders already has his next job lined up after leaving Anfield, where he will be the new manager of Red Bull Salzburg. He will be assisted by Vitor Matos, who has worked as the elite development coach at Liverpool until this summer.

With Liverpool and Lijnders set to part ways this summer, the now former Reds assistant manager has spoken about the possibility that he could have been Klopp's successor. The Dutchman has revealed that Klopp has even spoken to him about the possibility over the years, including this season amid the rumours around a new appointment.

“Jurgen [Klopp] asked me about it a few times in recent years,” he told The Athletic. “The season before I got the question from Jurgen and two times this season, but each time I said 'no'.

“The first reason was I really felt that this was a project of 'us'. Jurgen led it and I really felt we should end this project together.

"Secondly, I’ve been at Liverpool for nearly 10 years. I was ready for a new experience: new people, my own staff, my own players. I gave everything I had to this playing group.”