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Red Bull Salzburg have sacked manager Pep Lijnders after 16 games in charge of the Austrian Bundesliga side, saying Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool assistant had overseen performances “far from our requirements and goals”.
Dutchman Lijnders was appointed in May after six years in his second stint at Anfield and has guided Salzburg to a Champions League place through two qualifiers, as well as winning their first three league games in charge.
Salzburg won three and lost six of their 12 games in October and November and are on course for automatic elimination from the Champions League, having lost five and won one of their 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 engagement and all the best in the future, Pep!
— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) December 16, 2024
“We have recently started to analyze, as planned, a season that has unfortunately not been satisfactory so far,” Salzburg said in a statement, adding that they hope to have a new manager in place when their players resume training on January 3.
“It was clear to see that in many of our games we were far from our requirements and goals. Therefore, we were convinced that our team needed a new impulse under the new management, even if we hoped for a turnaround.
“We would like to thank Pep for his work. He put a lot of effort and passion into it and gave important impetus to our further development. Now we are very intensively looking for a new coach.”
Fifth-placed Salzburg are 10 points behind Austrian leaders Sturm Graz after winning seven league games under Lijnders.
“Our friendship is great, our obligation is even greater. Our loyalty is great. Strong together.”
An emotional Pep Lijnders on what Jürgen Klopp means to him 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Gjw2JeibOL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2024
Dutchman Lijnders originally joined Liverpool as a development coach in 2014, becoming Klopp’s assistant following the German’s appointment in 2015.
Lijnders became manager of Dutch side NEC in January 2018, but was sacked less than six months later when they lost in the promotion play-offs to the top-flight Eredivisie.
Klopp re-appointed Lijnders a month later and the pair won the Champions League the following season as well as the Premier League in 2019/20. and FA Cup 2021/22.
Red Bull, whose other clubs include German heavyweights RB Leipzig and MLS Cup finalists New York Red Bulls, will appoint Klopp as its global football boss on January 1.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss left Liverpool with his coaching staff at the end of last season as he wanted a break from the demands of management.