Phil Thompson has revealed what he has learned about Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders and has named his second-choice manager for the post at Anfield after Jurgen Klopp departs.
Jurgen Klopp will leave his position as Liverpool’s first-team manager at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), are already scouting for a possible successor. HITC is aware that Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is on their radar.
Former Liverpool star Phil Thompson has stated that he would like FSG to recruit Alonso as Klopp’s successor, but only if the Merseyside club is unable to persuade Pepijn Lijnders to take over.
Thompson has revealed information he has received about Lijnders and Liverpool’s coaching sessions at the AXA Training Centre.
Currently, Lijnders serves as Liverpool’s assistant manager. HITC has been informed that Ajax is interested in employing him as their manager at the end of the season.
Phil Thompson remarks on Liverpool’s assistant manager, Pepijn Lijnders.
Thompson spoke about Lijnders on talkSPORT (9:15 a.m., March 8, 2024): “Pep Lijnders, listen, I’ve always had it; I’d love to have seen that.
“But, as it stands, Pep is loyal to Jurgen. We know these players move on and evolve as a group, so will Pep follow Jurgen Klopp? And he’ll resurface somewhere. Perhaps Pep is doing that.
“I’d love for him to be considered. I believe he has played a significant role. People assume it’s all about Jurgen, but Pep has been a huge assistance to him along the way.
“He possesses high personal values. He motivates this team throughout coaching sessions, so I would say definitely.
“If it is not him, I, like everybody else, would hope that it would be Xabi Alonso, but the thing what has happened with Bayern, has muddied the waters, hasn’t it?”
My View: Liverpool should not appoint Pepijn Lijnders.
Liverpool, in my opinion, should not hire Pepijn Lijnders as their new manager after Jurgen Klopp.
If Lijnders wants to stay on as a coach, that’s OK, but I believe making the 41-year-old manager would be a bad decision.
There is no doubt that the Dutchman is an excellent coach. And no one should underestimate his value in the current Liverpool squad.
However, Lijnders has only held one managing position in his career thus far. That was at NEC in 2018 and lasted only a few months.
Managing a large club such as Liverpool is a difficult and demanding task. Liverpool requires someone with experience and the ability to handle pressure.
Lijnders may be an excellent coach and tactically smart, but leading a team like Liverpool without appropriate experience would be a hazardous choice.
