Pep Lijnders 'could raid Liverpool' at next club as Jürgen Klopp No.2 eyes managerial return

For a long time, it appeared that Pep Lijnders could be the man to succeed Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool boss. Lijnders had been at Anfield since 2014 and remained part of the backroom staff when Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers.

The Dutchman had a brief stint in management at NEC Nijmegen but returned to Liverpool within a matter of months, with Klopp often full of praise for the work of his No.2. But Liverpool confirmed Lijnders would also depart this summer, when Klopp's exit was announced back in January.

Lijnders told the Liverpool ECHO: "The moment we spoke and Jürgen said 'I'm thinking about (leaving)' I said that is, for me, clear: I will go and manage. We will end this project together.

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"I feel that it's the project of a lot of people and I feel that it's the right way to do it, like this. The club can find a new coach with new elements. But I'm excited to manage, I'm excited to go, to find the right club who really wants (me)."

It appears Lijnders is keen to be in at a new club in time for pre-season amid reports he has 'offered his services' to Besiktas. That claim comes from Turkish outlet Sabah, with Besiktas seeking a replacement for Fernando Santos.

Furthermore, it is stated that Lijnders would like to take members of the Liverpool coaching staff with him. It is unclear exactly who that would be, although fellow coaches Peter Krawietz and Vitor Matos are also leaving Anfield this summer.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is among the players currently on Besiktas' books after signing for the Turkish giants last summer. Besiktas is currently fourth in the Süper Lig, looking to qualify for Europe next season.

It is not the first club that Lijnders has been linked with since his Liverpool exit was confirmed. HITC reported previously that he was also on Ajax's radar this summer, with a return to Holland an option.

Liverpool.com says: Lijnders has been a great assistant to Klopp and there is a feeling that his success would not have been possible without his No.2. Few can blame him for wanting another crack at management and he will come with a decent reputation, wherever he ends up. Taking over a big club like Besiktas or Ajax would come with pressure, but the Dutchman will be used to it from his time at Anfield.