Pepijn Lijnders is definitively the new coach of RB Salzburg, the Austrians and Liverpool confirm through official channels. The 41-year-old coach, who served for years as Jürgen Klopp's assistant coach at Anfield, showed solidarity with the German and decided to leave Liverpool with him. Lijnders previously served as head coach for the group at NEC and has signed with Salzburg until mid-2027.

“I am very proud to become the new coach of Salzburg,” says Lijnders. “This is a privilege for me. After PSV, FC Porto and Liverpool, I am now going to another exceptional club with a very good structure and focus on youth development.”

“I want to develop a mentality with the team that places great emphasis on an attacking playing style and where passion and hunger for success will be the basis of everything.” Lijnders takes Vítor Matos to Austria. The latter was development coach at Liverpool.

OFFIZIELL: Pepijn Lijnders übernimmt das Traineramt ab der kommenden Saison! The 41-year-old Niederländer come from FC Liverpool and are happy with FC Red Bull Salzburg during the past three years. Servus in Salzburg, Pep! ?? pic.twitter.com/L1pdDUeuum

— FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) May 15, 2024

“Together with him and the entire coaching team, we will do our best to continue to grow the club in a constantly changing football world.” Lijnders' family supports the choice of Salzburg. “They have visited the city before and were overwhelmed by the friendliness of the people. That was the last and most important step for me in choosing Salzburg.”

Lijnders started his coaching career as a technique trainer at PSV, where he worked between 2003 and 2007. He then fulfilled that role at FC Porto between 2008 and 2014, after which the opportunity of a lifetime came his way. The great Liverpool knocked on the door that summer.

After a year as a technical coach of Liverpool Under 18, Lijnders was transferred to the main squad after Klopp's appointment, where he would assist the German manager. After three seasons with Liverpool's first team, Lijnders was given the opportunity to stand on his own two feet as head coach of NEC.

In Nijmegen the employment relationship lasted only six months, after which Lijnders returned to Klopp's staff, who was happy to embrace him again. During his second term as assistant coach at the Reds Lijnders experienced great successes. For example, Liverpool won the Champions League (2018/19) and Premier League (2019/20).

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