Liverpool’s newly appointed first team development coach Pepijn Lijnders has expressed pride at being given a chance to work under manager Brendan Rodgers.
Lijnders has been promoted to the first team backroom staff from his coaching role at the club’s academy, which was made official today. And the Dutchman expressed his delight at the chance to work under “attacking manager” Rodgers.
"I feel proud and honoured to work closely with Brendan and his staff. I couldn't think of a better attacking manager to assist”, he said to his club’s official website.
The 32-year-old admits he appreciates the club’s owners whose philosophy of blooding young talent at the club meant he was offered the position.
"Everybody knows how I feel about representing this amazing club.
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“The owners have a clear and strong philosophy which is based on developing top young players into elite – I want to thank them for giving me this opportunity”, he added.
Lijnders was the coach of the club’s Under-16 team last season, which was his first season at the club. He was effusive in his praise for academy director Alex Inglethorpe, as he reflected on his first year with the Reds.
"I had a great first year at the Liverpool FC Academy; Alex [Inglethorpe] and his coaching staff are creating something unique there. Again, I am proud to be part of the team and we will give everything."
Liverpool’s confirmed the overhaul of Rodgers’ backroom staff today with the appointments of new assistant manager Sean O’Driscoll and Lijnders in his new role, which is being newly created at the club.
