Jurgen Klopp has previously commented on the prospect of taking the reins at Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp's former Liverpool charge, Pep Lijnders, has disclosed that Pep Guardiola won him over to Manchester City through his fervour and drive. And his old Liverpool boss, Klopp, even encouraged him to accept the position.

Lijnders took up the assistant manager role under Guardiola at City last summer, having established himself as a trusted deputy to Klopp at Anfield. The Dutchman departed Anfield alongside Klopp in 2024 and, following a brief tenure at Red Bull Salzburg, was receptive to a Premier League comeback.

Given his Merseyside connections, City might have appeared an improbable choice. However, the opportunity to collaborate with Guardiola proved irresistible, with Klopp's complete backing.

"Pep's brilliant, of course," said Lijnders. "He has a passion and a game-understanding from a different planet, in my opinion. The moment Pep called, the feeling was straight away really good. It was not a difficult decision.

"You cannot put away 10 years of Liverpool that easily, but I'm really proud to come to a club of this magnitude, so successful over the last 10 years and with a manager that defined football. When I spoke with Jurgen he was so clear, 'If you don't do it, I will take the assistant job!'"

Klopp himself has made it clear in previous comments, however, that he will definitely not return to England to work for any club other than Liverpool. "I will not manage a club or a country at least for a year, that’s not possible," said the German when presented with the question last year. "I cannot do that and I don’t want to.

"That’s all. What I know definitely – I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100 per cent. That’s not possible."

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Guardiola's unwavering quest for perfection formed part of the appeal as Lijnders continued: "The best ones are like that, Tiger Woods, all these guys, they push themselves to limits. He's constantly searching for that – very professional, very ambitious, wants to make impact every day.

"But I always say his biggest strength is the passion he has for his team, the passion he has for us, his love for his backroom staff, how he treats everyone and that family feeling inside this club."

Lijnders' most pressing concern is City's fixture at Tottenham on Sunday. However, they head to a far more recognisable ground, Anfield, the following weekend, and the Dutchman maintains his allegiances won't be split.

"No, I'm a professional," said Lijnders when the topic of his allegiances was raised. "When I go to Anfield it will be special – maybe more special for my family than me – but my mindset is to win and to try to beat them." (Mirror)

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