Man City target Jurgen Klopp’s old Liverpool lieutenant as Pep Guardiola looks to shake up his coaching staff

Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant Pep Lijnders has emerged as a surprise candidate to become No 2 at Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s staff is set for a revamp this summer after the departures of key backroom personnel Juanma Lillo, Carlos Vicens and Inigo Dominguez.

Lijnders, 42, is one in the running to take up a vacant spot on Guardiola’s bench following a brief foray into management after leaving Liverpool alongside Klopp.

The Dutchman, a published author who is widely considered to be the tactical brains behind success at Anfield, was sacked by Red Bull Salzburg after just six months in charge.

City announced earlier in the week that three coaches were departing and none of them would be heading to the Club World Cup in America.

It leaves Guardiola potentially short of backroom members for the trip Stateside but a move for Lijnders would be considered a major coup.

Pepijn Lijnders has experience of coaching at senior level and could join Guardiola’s staff

Lijnders was a trusted lieutenant of Jurgen Klopp when the pair were together at Liverpool