Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man Pep Lijnders in running for Ajax job
Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is a contender for the vacant Ajax job as he considers his future beyond this season.
Lijnders confirmed he will leave Liverpool alongside Jurgen Klopp in the summer, ruling himself out of the race to succeed the outgoing coach.
Ajax are looking for a new permanent manager, with John van’t Schip currently in interim charge. The Dutch side are preparing for a transitional period after a difficult season. If Lijnders was appointed he would be reunited with former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
The 41-year-old coach has made no secret of his intention to make his next step in management. He briefly left Liverpool in 2018 to manage Dutch second division side NEC, losing his job after the club failed to win promotion via the play-offs.
Lijnders returned to Anfield shortly after, re-establishing what has been a hugely successful partnership with Klopp as the German’s trophy-winning era began.
Indeed, there are those who believe the Dutchman ought to be on the shortlist to replace Klopp – following the tradition of the mid-70s when Bill Shankly’s assistant Bob Paisley ensured the principles of the legendary figure remained intact. But Lijnders said from the outset there is no prospect of that happening, although if he impresses as a No 1 elsewhere it is highly likely he will be linked with an Anfield return in the future.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are sweating on the results of Andy Robertson’s ankle scan following his second injury of the season while on international duty with Scotland.
Robertson missed most of the campaign because of a dislocated shoulder suffered while skippering his nation last autumn. Having eased his way back to full fitness he is now hoping the ankle problem suffered against Northern Ireland on Tuesday is a minor setback.
Robertson underwent a scan having returned to Merseyside on Wednesday.
