2 Peps 1 Club: The Influence of Pep Ljinders On Man City And Why He's A Ready Made Guardiola

Two Peps Are Better Than One

With all the manager sackings and the transfer window opening up, it really puts it into perspective how hard of a task it is being a manager in the football world. With strict owners and pressure at all times, it is never easy. That's where the backroom staff come into play with their expertise and alleviate some of the stress that managers face.

Think of Pep Guardiola, for example; he is one of the best managers to ever do it but even he knows he has had some help along the way. Having had a number of well-thought-of assistant managers by his side, Pep has managed to win an abundance of titles at Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The thing with Pep is his number two could do it by themselves if they wanted to.

Think of Mikel Arteta, who was Pep's assistant at Man City from 2016 to 2019, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two EFL Cups during his time. He then joined Arsenal in 2019, and you can see how well he has transformed them and that he is a brilliant manager.

Well, Pep remembered his success in appointing an assistant in Arteta and in June last year he appointed a man called Pep Lijnders. If you haven't heard of him, then you should give him a read, as he is a football mastermind and a Pep Guardiola reincarnation.

There’s an interview Pep gave during the Club World Cup where he spoke about Pep Lijnders.

He said Lijnders “opened his eyes” in a short period of time and that he’s been “drinking knowledge” from him, just as he has with his other brilliant assistants.

A lot of people take… pic.twitter.com/XrmgJZJf2Q

— Geronimo Morgans (@GeronimoMorgans) January 1, 2026

A Bit Of Background

Pep Ljinders wasn't just hired by Guardiola because they have a good footballing relationship; Ljinders has been in the game for a while. He didn't play professionally but took his first steps in football as a teen, helping out the youth academy at PSV Eindhoven. He then joined Porto in 2006, helping with their youth academy.

It wasn't until 2014 when the Dutchman got his first major role at Liverpool as a development coach under Brendan Rodgers. After a brief stint managing NEC Nijmegen in the second tier of the Dutch leagues in 2018, he returned to Liverpool, marking the start of the Pep Lijnders masterclass.

He became Jürgen Klopp's assistant in 2019 after former assistant Željko Buvač left the club. His spell at the club was nothing short of pure success, as he and Klopp stocked up Liverpool's shelves with plenty of silverware. During his time by Klopp's side, Lijnders won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup twice, Club World Cup, Super Cup and Community Shield. Not a bad resume, to be fair to him.

After their success together, Lijnders felt obliged to leave Liverpool at the same time Klopp's stint ended after the 2023/24 season. He did have another stint at management, joining Red Bull Salzburg like before; it didn't turn out well for him, as he lasted just 29 games in charge.

Pep Guardiola saw this as a chance to grab him as his assistant last summer, and the pair have been working very well together. It is clear to see they have a great relationship together and that they feed off each other’s brilliant football know-how.

A New Era At City

Guardiola knew what he was getting when he appointed Lijnders as his coach in June. He is backed up by trophies and knows the game inside and out. Some would say that Manchester City were in need of a lot of change this season after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign.

Lijnders helped Guardiola transform City's team into a pressing machine and it has been evident in the games they have played this season. Counter-pressing aggressively and scoring goals on the counter hasn't really been Guardiola's bread and butter but this season, it has really come into play and Lijnders is the reason for that. Last season showed that City's tactics needed a massive overhaul and with their new signings, they have been allowed to play in a revamped way.

It doesn't mean Guardiola's tactics are gone entirely, as City are still very patient on the ball and wait for good openings. The two have intertwined and City are playing some brilliant stuff and sit only four points behind league leaders Arsenal. City needed fresh ideas and Lijnders has brought his own and City are benefiting from it.

He is a relentless character in City's training sessions, setting instructions and guiding the players into how he wants them to play. It is also known that he isn't afraid to say no to Guardiola.

🎙️ Pep Guardiola on Pep Lijnders:

🗣️ Guardiola: "He’s good. Pep is so, so good. He’s a top manager. There are some you say they’re an assistant, no no; maybe I’m his assistant!" pic.twitter.com/SyXmi9aCFf

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) December 27, 2025

Could He Do It On His Own?

Guardiola has been raving about Lijnders week in, week out, like he is a proud father. Guardiola isn't an easy man to impress and to even say that he could be Ljinders’ assistant is praise higher than any other. Working with Guardiola and Klopp is an achievement in itself and he is only 42 years old, so he still has a long time in the managerial world.

Liverpool fans might question why he didn't take the job from his former boss Jürgen Klopp when he left. Lijnders had been at the club for over six years and had all the tools to be a successful manager. Some might call it snakey, but joining Guardiola at City was only going to add more knowledge to his CV.

The only problem that sits against Lijnders is his lack of managerial experience and his poor stints at NEC Nijmegen and Salzburg, where he was sacked within a year at both clubs. Now context is key, as at these clubs he wasn't given a long time and might not have had the finances to bring in the players he wanted to. If he was given a chance at a well-established club with a summer transfer window behind him, it could be a different story.

Putting all the praise, trophies and team stature aside, Lijnders is a brilliant tactician and there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he has the potential to be a top manager in the future. However long his tenure at City lasts, his next role will be at a big club, mark my words. He is one for the future and the next Guardiola to come.