Manchester City are on the verge of making their biggest coup of the summer, and he won’t be kicking a ball for them.
Man City have endured their first trophyless campaign under Pep Guardiola this season, and they are looking to freshen things up at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The Citizens quickly fell out of the title race picture this season, going on a barren run of form at the end of October until the end of the year, where they only won twice in 14 games in all competitions.
They also suffered in the Champions League this season, where they failed to reach the knockout rounds after losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League’s new play-off format.
After an FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, Guardiola faced the prospect of a disastrous season, only for his side to seal Champions League qualification on the final day of the season, leaving the campaign with something to hold onto.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 38 | 25 | 9 | 4 | 86 | 41 | 45 | 84 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 38 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 69 | 34 | 35 | 74 |
| 3 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 38 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 72 | 44 | 28 | 71 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 38 | 20 | 9 | 9 | 64 | 43 | 21 | 69 |
| 5 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 38 | 20 | 6 | 12 | 68 | 47 | 21 | 66 |
| 6 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 58 | 51 | 7 | 66 |
| 7 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 58 | 46 | 12 | 65 |
With Kevin De Bruyne leaving Man City, big changes are expected to take place over the summer, but one man close to joining the Citizens could be more important than any player.
Jurgen Klopp’s ex-assistant Pep Lijnders is joining Man City
According to Fabrizio Romano, former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders is joining City and should be available for the Club World Cup, starting on the 14th of June.
Lijnders acted as Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man during Liverpool’s sixth Champions League triumph in 2019 and their Premier League title win in the 19/20 season.
Alongside Klopp departing the Reds at the end of the 23/24 season, Lijnders would also seek a new adventure as he began his managerial career at Red Bull Salzburg before parting ways with the Austrian outfit in December of 2024.
Guardiola has faced criticism this season, and Lijnders’ arrival could be the tactical impetus that City need to get back to the pinnacle of football.
What can Pep Lijnders offer Man City?
Lijnders won’t be short of world-class quality, as he’ll be working with the likes of returning Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol and many more.
Lijnders has an eye for attacking talent, and he could seriously aid the development of unpolished young talent such as Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, and Savinho.
Phil Foden has struggled for game time and form this campaign, and Lijnders could be the one to get the Englishman back to his best, winning trophies again for his boyhood club.
City could well be looking at a rejuvenated squad come the start of the season with fresh ideas and tactics, as Lijnders will be sure to try to merge his style with Guardiola’s.
Liverpool were known for their relentless play style, and Lijnders provided an example of his pressing and intensity principles in their historic 4-0 win over Barcelona in an interview with Coaches’ Voice.
He said: “Our pressing is not to force them away, or force bad passes, our idea of pressing is to steal the ball, steal the ball to attack and create!”.
Exciting times are ahead for Man City and their fans, and it would be no surprise if we saw them dominate once again.
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