Red Bull Salzburg have sacked coach Pep Lijnders after 16 games in the Austrian Bundesliga, saying Jürgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool delivered performances that “fell far short of our own requirements and goals”.
Dutchman Lijnders was appointed to his second spell at Anfield in May after six years and led Salzburg to a Champions League place through two qualifying games and won his first three league games as manager.
Salzburg won three and lost six of its 12 games in October and November and is on course for automatic elimination from the Champions League after losing five and winning one of its first six games in Europe.
OFFICIAL: FC Red Bull Salzburg and Pepijn Lijnders are parting ways, the 41-year-old Dutchman was relieved of his duties today. Thank you for your commitment and all the best for the future, Pep!
— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) December 16, 2024
RB Salzburg: Lijnders “gave momentum”
“We recently began, as planned, to analyze what has unfortunately been an unsatisfactory season so far,” Salzburg said in a statement, adding that they hope to have a new coach in place when their players return on January 3rd resume training.
“It was clear to see that in many of our games we fell far short of our own standards and goals. We have therefore come to the conclusion that our team needs new impetus under new leadership, even if we hoped for a turnaround until the end.
“We would like to thank Pep for his work. With a lot of commitment and passion, he provided important impulses for our further development. We are now looking very intensively for a new coach.”
Fifth-placed Salzburg are 10 points behind Austrian leaders Sturm Graz after winning seven of their league games under Lijnders.
“Our friendship is great, our commitment is even greater. Our loyalty is enormous. Strong together.”
An emotional Pep Lijnders on what Jürgen Klopp means to him 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Gjw2JeibOL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2024
Lijnders: Klopp’s Liverpool assistant
Dutchman Lijnders originally joined Liverpool as a development coach in 2014 and became Klopp’s assistant following the German’s appointment in 2015.
Lijnders became coach of Dutch team NEC in January 2018, but was sacked less than six months later when they lost in the play-offs for promotion to the top flight of the Eredivisie.
Klopp reappointed Lijnders a month later and the pair won the Champions League the following season, as well as the 2019/20 Premier League and 2021/22 FA Cup.
Red Bull, whose other clubs include German giants RB Leipzig and MLS Cup finalists New York Red Bulls, will appoint Klopp as global head of soccer on January 1.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager left Liverpool with his coaching staff at the end of last season because he wanted a break from the demands of management.
