- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Pepijn Lijnders is ready to leave Liverpool and take charge of Ajax at the end of the season, HITC understands.
Dutch giants Ajax have spoken to Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders over becoming their new first-team manager at the end of the season.
Pepijn Lijnders ready to quit Liverpool for Ajax
HITC sources understand that Liverpool have given their blessing to Lijnders to explore the prospect of becoming the new manager of Ajax for next season and beyond.
FSG know that the 41-year-old is likely to leave Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp, who is stepping down as the manager of the first team at the end of the season.
Liverpool, though, have told Lijnders there is a place for him at Anfield, if he desired to remain at the club.
However, it is understood that Lijnders is ready to return to club management having previously had a spell at NEC Nijmegen in 2018.
Managerial change at Ajax
Ajax parted company with Maurice Steijn earlier this season, and instead of appointing a permanent replacement, they went with John van’t Schip, who will revert to being part of the club’s technical staff at the end of the season.
Appointing van’t Schip has allowed Ajax to assess options with director of football Marijn Beuker leading the search, and Lijnders has emerged as one of their top options.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rates Lijnders highly and described him as “a fantastic person and a fantastic coach” in talkSPORT in July 2018.
Ajax are fifth in the Eredivisie table at the moment with 36 points from 23 matches, six points behind fourth-placed AZ.
Meanwhile, Liverpool currently find themselves at the top of the Premier League table with 60 points from 26 matches, a point ahead of second-placed and defending champions Manchester City. The Reds beat Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup this past weekend.
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