Former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders has joined Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s new No 2.

The 42-year-old Dutchman replaces Juanma Lillo and brings with him a wealth of top-level coaching experience from stints in the Premier League and across Europe.

Lijnders spent nearly a decade at Liverpool, first under Brendan Rodgers and then as Jurgen Klopp’s assistant, helping the Reds to Champions League and Premier League titles before departing in 2024. He briefly managed RB Salzburg before linking up with City ahead of the new season.

🚨🔵 Official, exclusive story confirmed. Pep Lijnders has been appointed as new Man City assistant coach.

James French also signs in as set-piece coach. pic.twitter.com/qsK3UYPZiJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2025

Also arriving from Liverpool is James French, who becomes City’s new set-piece coach. French worked at Anfield for over a decade, most recently as first-team opposition analyst.

City’s Director of Football Hugo Viana said both appointments reflect the club’s commitment to maintaining elite coaching standards heading into the FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025/26 campaign.

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