**Pep Lijnders Poised to Join Manchester City Coaching Staff for 2025/26 Season in Shocking Move**
In a development that has taken English football by surprise, Pep Lijnders is reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester City’s coaching staff ahead of the 2025/26 season, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Dutch coach, widely recognized for his tactical acumen and long-standing association with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, looks set to begin a new chapter at the Etihad Stadium.
Lijnders, who most recently had a brief stint as head coach at Red Bull Salzburg, is expected to take up a senior assistant role under Pep Guardiola. Although the specifics of his duties have yet to be formally outlined, he will likely play a key role in overseeing training sessions, helping with tactical planning, and contributing to matchday strategy — duties he performed with distinction during his time at Anfield.
This unexpected switch represents a major twist in Premier League coaching dynamics. Lijnders had previously expressed aspirations to become a first-team manager in his own right, but the chance to work alongside Guardiola — considered by many to be among the greatest football minds of the modern era — seems to have been too enticing to pass up. His move to Manchester City marks a significant crossover in one of English football’s most intense rivalries, bringing with him extensive insight into Liverpool’s inner workings.
The move also signals an ongoing reshuffle within Guardiola’s backroom team. Manchester City may not stop at just Lijnders; reports also suggest that former defender Kolo Toure is being considered for a role, possibly focusing on player development or defensive coaching. Toure, who has experience coaching at clubs like Celtic, Leicester City, and Wigan Athletic, would bring both Premier League pedigree and a broad coaching background to the setup.
Should both appointments materialize, it would represent a strategic enhancement of City’s coaching team, reinforcing Guardiola’s support system as the club prepares for another demanding campaign across domestic and European competitions. The additions of Lijnders and potentially Toure reflect Manchester City’s commitment to staying ahead tactically and maintaining their dominance in English football.
Meanwhile, on the transfer front, City are eyeing reinforcements in the playing squad. They are said to be monitoring Lyon’s highly rated attacker Rayan Cherki — who is also drawing attention from Manchester United — as well as Newcastle’s promising full-back Tino Livramento. Both players are seen as valuable prospects to bolster City’s squad depth and long-term planning.
