Jurgen Klopp’s assistant Pepijn Lijnders has left Liverpool to become the new head coach of RB Salzburg.
Lijnders will sign for the Austrian club on a three-year deal this summer, after spending almost a decade at Liverpool.
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The 41-year-old was already on the verge of leaving the Reds after Jurgen Klopp made the decision to step down earlier this year.
“I am very proud to become the new coach of FC Red Bull Salzburg,” said Lijnders, who will be joined by Liverpool development coach Vitor Matos as number 2.
“It’s a real privilege for me. After PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto and Liverpool FC, I now join another exceptional club with a very good structure and a particular focus on youth development.
“I want to develop a mentality with the team that places a lot of emphasis on the attacking style of play and where passion and the thirst for success are the basis of everything.
“Together with my assistant coach Vitor Matos and the entire support team, we will do our best to help the club continue to grow in an ever-changing football world.
“My family has already visited the city and was impressed by its beauty and the kindness of the people. This was the last and important step for me in choosing FC Red Bull Salzburg.”
This will be Lijnders’ second coaching role, following a brief stint in charge of Dutch club NEC Nijmegen, which he held for seven months.
He returned to Anfield after being sacked for failing to gain promotion to the Eredivisie.
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Lijnders arrived at Liverpool in 2014 as under-16s coach before quickly impressing his bosses and becoming first-team development coach in 2015.
The Dutchman initially worked under Brendan Rodgers before remaining with the senior team following Klopp’s arrival.
Following his time at NEC Nijmegen, Lijnders returned to Liverpool as assistant coach ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, a role he has held ever since.
Lijnders is just one of several Liverpool staff set to leave this summer, alongside Matos, as Feyenoord boss Arne Slot looks set to take over from Klopp.
The Dutchman is expected to arrive with his own staff while renowned sporting director Michael Edwards has returned to his previous role.
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