Pepijn Lijnders has been dismissed from his position as head coach of Red Bull Salzburg after just six months in charge, marking another challenging chapter in the Dutchman’s managerial career.
Lijnders, who took over in May 2024, initially impressed with three consecutive league victories but saw results deteriorate in the following months.
Salzburg managed only four wins in their next 13 matches, causing them to fall to fifth place in the Austrian Bundesliga, ten points behind league leaders SK Sturm Graz.
Although Salzburg secured a 3-0 win over SK Austria Klagenfurt in their most recent outing, the club’s hierarchy cited “unsatisfactory performances” as the key factor behind Lijnders’ departure.
The team’s struggles extended beyond domestic competitions, with a particularly poor showing in the UEFA Champions League. Salzburg finished bottom of the group stage, managing just one win and suffering five defeats, placing them 32nd overall in the competition.
In a joint statement, CEO Stephan Reiter and Sporting Director Rouven Schröder acknowledged the need for a “fresh impulse” to move forward.
They explained that a planned review of the season revealed consistent underperformance, prompting the difficult decision to part ways with Lijnders. Despite their hopes for improvement, the management ultimately concluded that new leadership was essential to revitalize the team.
The club is now actively seeking a replacement and aims to have a new head coach in place by January 3, 2025, when the squad resumes training.
Lijnders’ dismissal comes at a notable moment, as Jürgen Klopp is set to assume his new role as Red Bull’s head of global soccer in January 2025. Klopp’s arrival, which will see him oversee Red Bull-affiliated clubs like Salzburg, adds a layer of intrigue given his long-standing relationship with Lijnders.
The two enjoyed significant success together at Liverpool, where Lijnders served as Klopp’s assistant coach during a golden period that included winning the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
This connection has led to speculation about whether Klopp’s incoming role may have played a part in Salzburg’s decision to seek new leadership.
For Lijnders, this marks the second time a managerial tenure has ended prematurely, following a short spell with NEC Nijmegen in 2018. Despite his impressive credentials as a top-tier assistant, his struggles to transition into a successful head coach underscore the complexities of stepping into a leadership role.
Nevertheless, Lijnders’ achievements alongside Klopp and his tactical knowledge suggest that he will remain an attractive candidate for future opportunities, either as a head coach seeking redemption or in a supporting role.
As Red Bull Salzburg looks to recover from a turbulent first half of the season, the club’s search for a new head coach will be under close scrutiny. Salzburg remains determined to reestablish their dominance in Austrian football while regaining credibility on the European stage.
This decision highlights the club’s high standards and expectations for consistent success, both domestically and in continental competitions.
