Jurgen Klopp might have just put himself in a difficult position with new job at Red Bull - opinion
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Liverpool fans finally know what Jurgen Klopp’s next move will be after leaving the club in May.
Reds have been mourning the departure of one of their most iconic managers of all-time since his surprise exit was announced back in January.
And just one day after the ninth anniversary of his arrival at Liverpool, Klopp was announced as the new Global Head of Football at Red Bull.
As part of the Red Bull machine, the 57-year-old will, in his own words, “develop, improve and support the incredible football talent that we have at our disposal.”
Given that his new job will not be to lead a rival club from the touchline, fans will no doubt get behind one of the greatest figures in Liverpool’s history as he embarks on a new challenge.
However, while it is great to see Jurgen back in the game after a brief hiatus, he may well have just landed himself in a slightly awkward situation with Pep Lijnders.
Pep Lijnders could come under Jurgen Klopp scrutiny
Of course, it remains to be seen exactly what Klopp’s remit is from day to day. But it seems likely that he’ll be involved in operations across all Red Bull clubs.
“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs,” the former Liverpool manager said on Wednesday.
One of those coaches is Lijnders, who began a new journey of his own by joining RB Salzburg as head coach this season.
While things started promisingly for the 41-year-old, the season has since taken a nasty turn.
READ MORE: Borussia Dortmund fans react furiously to Jurgen Klopp’s first job since leaving Liverpool
Under Lijnders stewardship, Salzburg currently sit fifth in the Austrian Bundesliga and have lost their last two matches by a combined score of 9-0.
Lijnders is highly rated as a coach across Europe, but getting beaten 3-0 and 4-0 in the Champions League to Sparta Prague and Brest respectively is hardly a way to announce yourself on the big stage.
Sunday’s 5-0 embarrassment at title holders Sturm Graz was also a signal that perhaps Lijnders has bitten off a little more than he can chew at Salzburg.
Klopp’s arrival to oversee matters from a distance will no doubt be welcomed by his long-term friend and mentee. But if things carry on in this manner, perhaps Jurgen will ultimately have to be involved in Lijnders’ untimely removal.
Why is Pep Lijnders struggling?
With the reputation that Lijnders has, as well as his body of work alongside Klopp at Liverpool, many had expected him to fly at Salzburg.
As it is still early days into his time in Austria, that could still end up being the case.
But if it comes only after the arrival of Klopp to oversee everything, then maybe Lijnders will never fully escape the feeling that he can only succeed alongside Jurgen in some capacity.
For the time being, there is no clear explanation as to why Lijnders has struggled so far. Salzburg go into every season in Austria as heavy favourites for the title and can often make an impact continentally, too.
Expectations are not being met in that regard right now and if things carry on beyond Klopp’s arrival in January, then maybe Pep will find himself having a very difficult conversation with his former boss.
