Pep Lijnders reveals Jurgen Klopp approached him about succeeding him as Liverpool manager.
Lijnders, a former Reds No. 2, has recently been chosen the next coach of RB Salzburg.
He told the Athletic: “Jürgen had made up his mind, and I was confident that it was the perfect time for me to step forward. In the last three years, I’ve turned down numerous clubs.
“The reason I always stayed was my dedication to Jürgen and FSG. I really wanted to go and demonstrate my abilities.”
Lijnders claims he never considered replacing Klopp as Liverpool’s manager.
“Jürgen has asked me about it several times in recent years. Jürgen asked me last season and again this season, but each time I answered ‘no’. The first reason was that I truly believed this was ‘our’ endeavor.
“Jürgen spearheaded it, and I strongly felt that we should complete this project together. Second, I’ve been in Liverpool for almost ten years. I was ready for a new challenge: new people, my own staff, and my own players. I contributed everything I had to this playing group. I believe the team would continue in the same manner if I stayed here. I believe the team also needs something new. But I never knew exactly what I’d say if Mike Gordon called me. “You say ‘no, no, no’, but then…”
