Red Bull Salzburg have sacked coach Pep Lijnders after their disappointing first half of the season.
Lijnders was hired by the Austrian side last summer after he departed as Liverpool’s assistant under Jürgen Klopp.
And despite beating Austria Klagenfurt on Saturday, the drinks giant have parted ways with the Dutch coach as he leaves them in just fifth place in the Bundesliga, 10 points adrift of leaders Sturm Graz.
OFFIZIELL: Der FC Red Bull Salzburg und Pepijn Lijnders beenden ihre Zusammenarbeit, der 41-jährige Niederländer wurde heute vom Dienst freigestellt. Danke für deinen Einsatz und alles Gute für die Zukunft, Pep!
— FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) December 16, 2024
This latest news has potentially come at a good time for Klopp, who joins the Red Bull group as Head of Football Operations in the new year and has now been saved from firing his previous right-hand man.
Salzburg will now break for Christmas and will return on January 22 against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
📸 MICHAL CIZEK – AFP or licensors