Man City appoint ex-Klopp assistant Lijnders to coaching staff

Lijnders, who served as Klopp's trusted number two throughout a highly successful spell at Anfield, will assume the role previously held by Spaniard Juan Manuel Lillo. City confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, also announcing the arrival of James French as set-piece coach.

Lijnders began his coaching career in the youth setups of PSV Eindhoven and FC Porto before joining Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool backroom staff in 2014. He remained at the club following Klopp's arrival in 2015, playing a key role in Liverpool's recent golden era.

Though he briefly left to manage Dutch side NEC in 2018, Lijnders returned to Anfield and was part of the coaching team that helped the Reds lift the Champions League in 2019 and end their 30-year wait for a league title in 2020.

Following Klopp's departure in 2024, Lijnders took over as head coach of RB Salzburg but was dismissed after just six months in charge. He now joins Guardiola's staff as a direct replacement for Juanma Lillo.

French, who previously worked at Swansea City, has been Liverpool's set-piece specialist since 2012 and now brings that expertise to the Etihad.

"His talent, dedication, work ethic and commitment are perfectly aligned with the values Pep wants to instil in the football we aim to play," said City sporting director Hugo Viana. "I have no doubt that both Pep and James will be hugely valuable assets to Guardiola and his staff as we prepare for the Club World Cup and the 2025/26 campaign."