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FIFA Club World Cup: Guardiola reveals Klopp link behind backroom appointment
Pep Guardiola has revealed how a conversation with his old managerial adversary Jurgen Klopp led to him appointing Pep Lijnders as his assistant ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup - where all 63 games are live and free on DAZN .
City face Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca in their tournament opener later today with a new-look side and coaching staff behind the Spaniard at the helm.
They have brought in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki in recent weeks with all four potentially set to feature in the United States.
Lijnders, meanwhile, has been appointed as assistant coach, with James French added as set-piece coach, and ex-defender and City youth team coach Kolo Toure drafted in to help out during the tournament.
The experienced Dutchman enjoyed a successful period as assistant to Klopp at Liverpool, where he helped the Reds win the Premier League and Champions League.
Now, Guardiola has revealed that a discussion with his old rival helped lay the groundwork, stating: “We had a conversation with Jurgen but not about Pep Lijnders.
“We just talked on the subject, as always we had a long conversation and in a certain moment I suggested I was thinking about Pep and Jurgen gave his opinion.
“It was of course so high, he was his right hand in one of the most successful periods of Liverpool in their last years.
“Then after I took the time to decide and reflect then decided to get in touch with Pep.
“Of course he had experience many years, I asked permission from Jurgen of course because I didn’t want to interfere much, I said to him would it be a problem to talk to him, he said absolutely not.
“We talked a bit then in one or two days we decided. I’m fortunate, the assistant managers I had in my career, Barcelona, Bayern, and here I’ve had a lot, wow everyone helped me incredibly.”
City are one of the favourites to win the Club World Cup, and Guardiola added: “I’m pretty sure Kolo and Pep will help me.
“It’s a question of back and forth, his knowledge, I dream from his knowledge.
“And every day since we met, we talk a lot about tactics, football, training and it’s been so inspiring for me. I’m really pleased for that, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”
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