Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders is a firm favourite to land the Ajax job after he leaves alongside Jurgen Klopp
Pepijn Lijnders is next in line to take charge of Ajax once he leaves Liverpool alongside departing manager Jurgen Klopp. Klopp announced he was stepping back from the managerial role in January, surprising the football world in the process.
The Liverpool boss’s announcement came alongside the news of several staff leaving alongside him which includes Lijnders. The 41-year-old has been a pivotal part of the Reds’ staff and holds deep respect and loyalty towards Klopp.
Lijnders joined Liverpool in 2014 when Liverpool had Brendan Rodgers at the helm before Klopp joined the club in 2015. The Dutchman assumed the position of manager at NEC Nijmegen in January 2018 but faced dismissal in May.
He failed to earn promotion to the Eredivisie side for the Dutch club, losing in the promotion play-offs. The 41-year-old returned to Liverpool in June as a part of the coaching staff under Klopp. During his tenure with the Reds, he won the Premier League, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Furthermore, he won the UEFA Super Cup, the Carabao Cup twice and the FA Cup as well.
Liverpool Echo reported that Ajax expressed interest in appointing Lijnders as their next manager during the summer. The Dutch giants already have former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in their ranks, making a potential reunion on the cards.
Pep Lijnders on chances to replace Jurgen Klopp as new head coach: "Nah, I was really clear. We knew in the summer this was the end".
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 23, 2024
"I had offers last year, my heart always said yes but my loyalty to Jurgen always said no".
"We will end this project together". pic.twitter.com/eeWGxQBqcn
Liverpool have recently defeated Chelsea for the Carabao Cup, making it their first trophy success for the season. They have also successfully progressed in both the FA Cup and the Europa League so far.
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Furthermore, the Reds are at the top of the Premier League table, fighting Manchester City and Arsenal for the title. Lijnders has an opportunity to end his tenure with the Reds on the high and take the experience and success to one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Ajax.
