Pep Lijnders reveals talks over succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager | OneFootball

Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has revealed he was considered by the club as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp, who also quizzed the Dutchman about succeeding him as manager.

Lijnders was part of Liverpool's youth coaching setup when Klopp joined in 2015 and was quickly promoted to assistant manager, and the pair would work alongside each other for nine successful years at Anfield - aside from a short spell in 2018 when Lijnders went to work with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

When Klopp confirmed his decision to step down earlier this year, Lijnders revealed he would depart his own role and has since been revealed as the new manager of Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg.

However, in a recent interview with The Athletic, he revealed his career could have taken a different path as he was considered as the direct replacement for Klopp.

"Jurgen had made his mind up and I was quite clear that it was the right time for me to make my own way," he said. "Over the past three years, I said 'no' to a lot of clubs. The reason I always stayed was out of loyalty to Jurgen and FSG. I already really wanted to go and show what I could do.

"Jurgen asked me about [replacing him] a few times in recent years. The season before I got the question from Jurgen and two times this season, but each time I said 'no'.

Klopp & Lijnders were a formidable team / Stu Forster/GettyImages

"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 ten 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.

"I think the team would continue with the same ways if I stayed here. I feel that the team as well needs something new. But I never knew 100% what my response would be if Mike Gordon [Fenway Sports Group president] called me. You say 'no, no, no' but then..."

Revealing he did get that call from Gordon shortly after Klopp's announcement, Lijnders added: "Mike said, 'Pep, we really considered you, but I think it's fair for you that we don't put you after Jurgen'. Mike is a good guy. He knew as well. I'd made my ambition clear. It was best for the future."

Taking Lijnders' place at Anfield will be Sipke Hulshoff, who will follow Dutch boss Arne Slot from Feyenoord to Anfield this summer. Etienne Reijnen has joined as technical advisor and Ruben Peeters will take up a role as head of performance.

Liverpool are facing a summer of major upheaval behind the scenes as, alongside Klopp and Lijnders, they have also bid farewell to popular coaches Peter Krawietz, Vitor Matos and John Achterberg.