Pep Lijnders came to Liverpool in 2014, and took over the U16 team when Brendan Rodgers was manager. He was later moved up to the first team.
The following year, Jürgen Klopp came in as manager. The young Dutchman was one of those who remained at Melwood after Rodgers had lost his job, and in his new book “Intensity”, which will be published on Thursday this week, Lijnders tells of the first time he understood that Klopp was counting on him.
– I was reminded of the first time I felt that Jürgen really respected me. That’s when he came to my desk with a letter about six years ago, maybe two months after he had arrived. He asked me to read it, because he did not understand it, and I told him that it was from a coach who wanted to work with him, help on the training field and assist him, Lijnders writes in the book.
Tear up the letter
– “So what he wants is your job?” asked the manager. I answered “yes actually”. He took the letter, tore it into pieces, threw it into the trash can in front of me, turned and left without saying a word.
– Of course he understood the letter. He didn’t have to but that was the moment I knew we were going to work together for a long time and I could help him with everything I had to be as successful as possible at Liverpool Football Club .
The book is for sale in the club’s online store, and costs £20. It will be released on Thursday 4 August – and we will certainly get more information about the content.
– If we disagree? Of course. Does he want me to leave his office for a while? Of course. But I believe and feel that I can count on him. He is so much more than a colleague to me.
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