Manchester City appoint Pepijn Lijnders as Pep Guardiola's new assistant coach

The Dutchman arrives at the Etihad Stadium alongside a new set-piece coach in James French, who is also a former Liverpool employee.

Current Manchester City - and former Liverpool -  assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders.

Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of former Liverpool assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders as Pep Guardiola's new number two.

The Dutchman arrives at the Etihad Stadium alongside a new set-piece coach in James French, who has spent the last 13 years at Liverpool.

The appointments come following the departures of three members of Guardiola's backroom staff in Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez and Carlos Vicens at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Lijnders, who has also coached at PSV Eindhoven, Porto and NEC Nijmegen, worked under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

He left Liverpool along with Klopp in the summer of 2024 and took up the post of manager at Red Bull Salzburg but was sacked last December.

French has worked as an opposition analyst at the Merseyside club, having previously held positions at Swansea and the Football Association of Wales.

City director of football Hugo Viana said: "Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years.

"Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played."