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"I almost joined Manchester United" - Pep Lijnders

"I almost joined Manchester United" - Pep Lijnders

Ryan Sheppard 15 Jan 2023, 15:30 Last modified: 15 Jan 2023

Current Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has revealed that he almost joined Manchester United back in 2013.

The 39-year-old Dutchman, who is assistant to Jurgen Klopp for the Reds, has revealed that former United manager Sir-Alex Ferguson and assistant Rene Meulensteen wanted Lijnders to join, but the move never happened due to the Scotsman's retirement.

Pep Lijnders on how he almost joined Manchester United before Liverpool:

"I had been at the academy of Porto since 2007 and had started to think about a next step. [In 2013] I received an approach from Manchester United." #lfc [fourfourtwo via mirror]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 13, 2023

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN

In an interview for FourFourTwo Magazine, the Dutchman revealed all on the move to Liverpool's rivals which never happened.

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"Alex Ferguson and his Dutch assistant Rene Meulensteen wanted to bring me to the club. It looked really good, but a few months later Ferguson retired and the opportunity fell through.

"One year later, Liverpool showed an interest and I became their under-16s coach."

During that time, current Leicester manager Brenden Rodgers was the manager, but before too long, Lijnders stepped up and became one of Jurgen Klopp's coaching staff and his number two.

Lijnders: "One year later, Liverpool showed an interest and I became their under-16s coach. After a while, I began to speak with Brendan Rodgers, who was curious about how I was implementing a 3-4-3 system in my team."
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 13, 2023

WHEN I LEAVE LIVERPOOL, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS

In the same interview, Lijnders also revealed that he will only assist Jurgen Klopp and when he eventually leaves Liverpool, he will sit down and see what's available to him as he wants to go down the management route.

There has been some debate recently that Lijnders has been taking more of an influential role at Liverpool the past few weeks in training sessions, so it'll be interesting to see what Lijnders decides to do once he leaves Merseyside.

Pep Lijnders on his future plans:

"I will assist Jurgen and Jurgen only. After this project, I will be my own manager. When our contract finishes, I will sit down with my agent and see what's available." #lfc [fourfourtwo via mirror] pic.twitter.com/RvagZafuji
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 13, 2023

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Pep Lijnders first came to Liverpool when Brenden Rodgers was the manager. Fast forward to now, he has been a part of Liverpool's recent success as Jurgen Klopp's number two. I have to respect him for wanting to only be Jurgen's number two and when he does leave Liverpool (whenever that may be), it'll be initriguing to see whether or not the Dutchman goes off and tries management for himself. As long as his managerial career doesn't go as bad as Paul Clement's managerial career, he should be fine.