Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a significant tactical pivot by appointing Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s longtime assistant at Liverpool, as his new right-hand man
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a significant tactical pivot by appointing Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp’s longtime assistant at Liverpool, as his new right-hand man. The move, made in early June, hints at a major shift in City’s playing style—one that aligns more with Klopp’s high-pressing, vertical brand of football than Guardiola’s traditionally meticulous positional play.
Lijnders, widely credited with implementing much of Liverpool’s training and contributing to its tactical philosophy, will bring concepts such as counter-pressing and vertical attacking to a City side historically known for slow, controlled buildup. Guardiola’s comments to TNT Sports further confirm the shift: “Today, modern football is the way Bournemouth, Newcastle, Brighton and Liverpool play. Modern football is not positional. You have to ride the rhythm.”
This transition is evident in City’s statistics. Their possession dropped from 65.5% in 2023-24 to 61.3% in 2024-25, while fast breaks increased by 36%. January signing Omar Marmoush embodied this new direction, with his direct dribbling and progressive carries bypassing opposition presses. Summer additions Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders reflect similar traits—fewer passing triangles, more dynamism.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arrival further underscores Guardiola’s intent to evolve. The Wolves full-back ranked second in completed dribbles and third in goal involvements among Premier League defenders last season. His aggressive, forward-minded style contrasts sharply with Guardiola’s previous preference for midfielders in defensive roles.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, Guardiola appears poised to reinvent his team once again—this time with an uncharacteristically explosive, transition-heavy blueprint. With Lijnders’ influence, Manchester City may now lean toward the very style that once challenged their dominance, marking what could be Guardiola’s boldest tactical reinvention yet.
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