Klopp Considered Manchester City Role as Guardiola’s Assistant

Jurgen Klopp eyed the Manchester City assistant manager role under Pep Guardiola, according to Pep Lijnders, who recently revealed the surprising conversation he had with the former Liverpool boss about a potential switch to the Etihad.

Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City: An Unexpected Link

Jurgen Klopp’s name has become synonymous with Liverpool, but over the summer, the football world was caught off guard by a revelation from Pep Lijnders. Lijnders, Klopp’s trusted lieutenant for years at Liverpool, was offered the assistant manager’s job at Manchester City in 2025. As he weighed this high-profile opportunity to work alongside Guardiola, he turned to Klopp for advice. The German’s response was both frank and comic: “If you don’t do it, I will take the assistant job!”

This comment not only showcased Klopp’s light-hearted approach but also hinted at his admiration for Guardiola’s footballing philosophy. Lijnders admitted that the chance to join a club as successful as Manchester City and to work with one of the game’s greatest modern tacticians was hard to resist.

Pep Lijnders’ Journey: From Liverpool to Manchester City

Lijnders’ coaching career has closely mirrored Klopp’s path. After joining Liverpool in 2014, he quickly moved through the ranks under Brendan Rodgers and then became a pivotal figure when Klopp arrived in 2015. Despite a brief and unsuccessful spell managing NEC Nijmegen, Lijnders returned to Liverpool, serving as Klopp’s right-hand man until 2024.

Following Klopp’s departure from Anfield, Lijnders tried his hand as Red Bull Salzburg’s manager but was dismissed after a poor run of form. The opportunity at Manchester City marked a return to an assistant role, this time under Guardiola—a prospect that even Klopp himself found irresistible, at least in jest.

How Klopp’s Departure Changed Liverpool and City Dynamics

Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool in 2024 citing a lack of energy marked the end of an era. While he took up a role as Red Bull’s head of global soccer, speculation about his return to management has continued. Spanish media linked him with the Real Madrid job after Xabi Alonso’s departure, but Klopp has been steadfast in hinting at a step back from the dugout.

His potential move—even in an assistant role—to Manchester City would have been seismic not just for Liverpool fans but also for the dynamic between two of England’s most successful clubs in recent years. Instead, Klopp will next be seen back at Anfield in a charity legends’ match, serving as assistant to Sir Kenny Dalglish against Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City and Lijnders: Preparing for Tottenham Challenge

With Pep Lijnders now firmly embedded at Manchester City, he and Guardiola are focusing on the immediate challenge: Sunday’s tough away game against Tottenham. Despite City’s recent wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs have maintained a formidable record against Guardiola’s teams, with every permanent manager since 2016 achieving at least one win over the Spanish tactician.

Lijnders, reflecting on his move, confessed mixed emotions about returning to Anfield as City’s assistant: “When I go to Anfield it will be special, maybe more for my family than for me. But my mindset is to win and try to beat them.” His transition signifies not just a personal milestone but also the ongoing evolution of coaching talent at the elite level of English football.

Klopp’s Legacy and the Lure of Elite Football

Jurgen Klopp’s influence remains deeply felt at Liverpool, and his candid exchange with Lijnders underscores the respect and camaraderie he maintains within football’s top echelons. The notion of Klopp assisting Guardiola, even hypothetically, speaks to the mutual admiration that exists at the highest levels of the game.

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Opinion: The Thin Line Between Rivalry and Respect

The idea of Jurgen Klopp considering a supporting role under Pep Guardiola highlights how professional respect can transcend rivalries in football. It’s a testament to the evolving nature of the sport, where personal ambition, mutual admiration, and footballing ideals often intersect. While fans may see red or blue, for elite coaches, the real color is opportunity.