Lijnders: I’m really proud to be at City | OneFootball

Pep Lijnders says he knew after his first call with Pep Guardiola last year that he wanted to join Manchester City.

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The assistant coach arrived at the Etihad last summer after a distinguished and lengthy spell with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

During Lijnders’ time at Anfield, City and Liverpool were the two outstanding sides in English football with several iconic title races going down to the wire.

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However, Lijnders says he had very little doubt that City was the right move for him once Guardiola got in touch.

Speaking in place of Guardiola at Friday’s press conference, he even said Klopp encouraged him to take the role.

“No, of course not,” he said when asked if he considered turning the job down because of his ties with Liverpool.

“Pep called and told what he wanted to do with the team with me in.

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“The trust he already had before we started talking how to do made the decision much easier.

“I’m really proud to come to a club of this magnitude and a club so successful in the last 10 years with a manager who defined football.

“When I spoke to Jurgen, he said if I don’t take it he will!”

Lijnders is not the only fresh face at City over the last 12 months, with significant change to the playing squad in the three most recent transfer windows.

The Dutch coach is impressed by the way this new look squad is developing over the course of the season.

“My feeling in football, having been through that process with Liverpool as well, the hardest thing is to renew a team that’s so successful,” he said.

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“So many important players from club to win trophy after trophy and the big ones as well. To renew that team comes with ups and downs.

“Standards are really high and it’s the hardest thing in football. I think we are on the way.

“It was the youngest Champions League squad we’ve had, we used seven players younger than 22 in the Champions League. That’s really good for the future.

“They have to build together with Rodri, Bernardo, Ruben, John and with all these guys who have been with it and build something new. We are giving everything to make this happen.”

City v Newcastle Second leg tickets available!

See the conclusion of what promises to be a thrilling final four tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 4 February.

Newcastle are the holders of the Carabao Cup and will be determined to hold on to their crown, while City are seeking a ninth success in League Cup history.

Tickets start from £20 for adults and £10 for concessions, while a wide range of hospitality packages starting from £250 are also on offer to make it a special occasion!

*On sale to Season Ticket Members and existing Cityzens Matchday and Junior Members (as of Tue 16 Dec 2025) who have purchased 1+ home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium. 4 tickets per person.

Get your tickets here!