Liverpool players are open to the idea of Pepijn Ljinders succeeding Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after nearly nine years in command, citing weariness as an encouraging reason for his decision. Since he made the decision, speculation about who will replace him has ramped up.
Given the German coach’s success at Anfield over the last nine years, it’s no surprise that some of the top managers in the game have expressed interest in the position. The likes of Roberto De Zerbi, Ruben Amorim, Julian Nagelsmann, and Simone Inzaghi have all been in the options, as has former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard is the favourite to replace Klopp, not just because of his Liverpool connection but also thanks to the superb work he has done at Bayer Leverkusen. The German side are currently seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and look set to end Bayern Munich’s stranglehold on German football.
However, according to talkSPORT pundit Alan Brazil, the Liverpool player’s preferred Klopp replacement is not Alonso. Instead, they reportedly want Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders, to step up to the top job.
“I am told the players wouldn’t mind the number two, Pep taking over.”
Former Liverpool attacker Dean Saunders replied:
“I heard that as well. At least Lijnders knows what’s going on there. It’s difficult, who do you give the job to? That club is that big.”
Pep Lijnders Liverpool history
Lijnders joined Liverpool in 2014 and originally worked with Brendan Rodgers. Klopp retained him when he took over in 2015, but the Dutchman left Liverpool three seasons later to manage NEC in the Netherlands.
After a year in his homeland, Lijnders returned to Anfield in 2018 and played a key role in Liverpool winning both Champions League and Premier League titles. In recent years, Klopp has entrusted Lijnders with press conference duties ahead of Carabao Cup matches.
Lijnders has also suggested he wouldn’t want the top job at Liverpool and that he would leave the club with Klopp. He said:
“Nobody will replace Jurgen. I was clear, to be honest, when we had the talk a long time ago – for me it was clear and it made it easier for me.”
It is unclear what the future holds for Lijnders beyond this season, with Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso ahead of him in the pecking order to replace Klopp in the Liverpool hot seat. But the Spaniard is also attracting attention from Bayern, who are in the market for a new boss after announcing Thomas Tuchel will step down.
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The urgency of these decisions cannot be understated, especially considering the potential bidding war between Liverpool and FC Bayern for Xabi Alonso’s services. Such a scenario could divert crucial resources and attention away from other pressing needs within the club, including addressing financial requirements and managing impending changes in the management structure. Therefore, swift and decisive action is imperative to ensure that Liverpool can navigate through this transitional period effectively and maintain stability both on and off the pitch.
