Lijnders named Guardiola’s Assistant after Man City shake-up

Lijnders, 42, was our guest on Episode #53 of the TGG Podcast and is best known for his decade working alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, during which time the Reds won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

After leaving Liverpool with Klopp in the summer of 2024, Lijnders became Head Coach of RB Salzburg, although his time in charge of the Austrian side lasted only six months. Speaking on the TGG Pod in August 2023, Lijnders had said he would never be a number two to anyone other than Klopp.

“I said before – I only want to assist Jurgen,” he said. “After that, I go for myself.”

Meanwhile, French has joined City as Set Piece Coach after 13 years with Liverpool, where he was Opposition Analyst. City have not had an official Set Piece Coach since Nicolas Jover left to join Arsenal in July 2021.

Vicens took responsibility for set pieces after Jover’s departure after being promoted to Assistant from his previous role as Under-18s Head Coach. He had originally joined City in 2017 from Majorcan club CD Llosetense, initially working with the U12s & U13s.

Lillo was Guardiola’s Assistant for two successful seasons before leaving for Al Sadd in Qatar in the summer of 2022. The Spaniard returned a year later to rejoin his compatriot. Dominguez joined in August 2023, having worked as Lillo’s Assistant at Al Sadd.

City Director of Football Hugo Viana, who has joined from Sporting Lisbon, said: “We are all delighted that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching set-up.

“Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years. Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.

“And I have no doubt at all that both will prove to be very important assets for Pep and his coaching team as we prepare for the Club World Cup and then the 2025/26 season.”