- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders is still in talks to join Ajax but the Premier League-winning tactician is not the only name under consideration with Frank de Boer lined up for a stunning return to the Eredivisie giants.
HITC Football understands that, while Jurgen Klopp appears likely to take a sabbatical once his near-decade long stay at Anfield comes to an end this summer, Pepijn Lijnders could step straight into one of the most high-pressure jobs in European football.
Lijnders, Klopp’s long-time assistant, is in talks to become Ajax’s new head coach as the Dutchman looks to step out of the shadows and make his name as a manager in his own right.
Ajax in talks with Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders
The 41-year-old, who has accumulated seven trophies during two spells at Liverpool, has only ever had one spell in sole charge of a club. He lasted only four months at NEC Nijmegen in 2018, sacked after failing to guide the club to promotion from the Dutch second tier.
Ajax, HITC have been told, are willing to offer Lijnders the chance to prove how much he has learned since returning to Liverpool six years ago, though he is not the only name under consideration by a struggling side trailing runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven by a staggering 31 points.
Ajax like Pascal Jansen, the London-born former AZ Alkmaar coach. There are also discussions ongoing with club legend Frank de Boer. The 53-year-old won four successive league titles in charge of the Amsterdam giants between 2011 and 2014 but his managerial career has stalled alarmingly since then.
De Boer famously lasted only four games at Crystal Palace while also struggling at Inter Milan, Altanta United and with the Dutch national team. De Boer is currently out of work after leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al Jazira in December.
Eredivisie giants considering their options
Interestingly, HITC have been told that it is not necessarily a case of Lijnders or De Boer, but maybe Lijnders and De Boer. The idea of the two Dutchmen working together at Ajax has not been ruled out, though it remains to be seen how such an arrangement would be structured.
Should Lijnders arrive at the Johan Cruyff Arena – in whatever guise – he would be reunited by former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
“I have worked with Pepijn for a long time,” the England international said a few weeks ago. “He is a fantastic coach and a fantastic person. He has already said he is leaving (Liverpool). I don’t know what he wants to do next.
“But he is a really good coach. He loves the game.”
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