Manchester City have bolstered their first team coaching staff with the appointments of Pepijn Lijnders as assistant coach and James French as set-piece coach, bringing in two highly experienced professionals with deep roots in elite-level football.
Lijnders, a 42-year-old Dutchman, brings over two decades of coaching expertise spanning the Premier League and top European clubs. His career began in 2002 at PSV Eindhoven’s youth academy before moving to FC Porto, where he continued to hone his skills in youth development.
He rose to prominence during his decade-long tenure at Liverpool, initially joining Brendan Rodgers’ backroom staff in 2014 and later becoming a key figure under Jürgen Klopp from 2015 onwards. After a brief managerial spell at Dutch club NEC in 2018 and a return to Liverpool, Lijnders parted ways with the club alongside Klopp in 2024, subsequently managing RB Salzburg for six months before this new appointment at City.
Meanwhile, James French takes on the vital role of set-piece coach. French also joins from Liverpool, where he had spent over a decade as first team opposition analyst. His early career included roles at Swansea City and the Football Association of Wales, laying the foundation for a deep understanding of tactical systems and opposition strategies.
City’s Director of Football Hugo Viana welcomed the additions, saying in a media release: “We are all delighted that Pepijn and James have joined our senior coaching set-up. They’ve each amassed huge experience in their roles over the years. Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played.” The appointments come ahead of a crucial season for Manchester City as they look to build on recent successes under Guardiola and further strengthen their technical and tactical edge.
