This summer has been a big one for Manchester City so far.
After a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, the Manchester club are looking to put that behind them, with the new season kicking off on Wednesday as the Premier League club get their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway against Wydad AC.
This will be the first time Man City fans get to see their new signings in action after Guardiola saw Tijjani Reijnders arrive into his squad last week, in addition to Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli.
Changes have also taken place off the field at the Etihad Stadium, and ahead of Man City’s first match at the Club World Cup, the legendary coach has named the man who is “inspiring” him ahead of the new season.
Pep Lijnders is inspiring Manchester City
Guardiola added Pep Lijnders to his coaching staff at Man City this summer, as the Dutch coach has great experience in the Premier League, having worked alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool for many years.
Speaking about Lijnders at his press conference ahead of City’s match with Wydad AC, Guardiola admitted that the new arrival is “inspiring” him and everyone at the Manchester club, adding that he is “really pleased” with what he is seeing from the former Liverpool coach so far.
“We had a conversation with Jurgen [Klopp], but not about Pep Lijnders. It was, as always, a long conversation, and in a certain moment I suggested I was thinking about Pep and he gave me his opinion that was, of course, so high – his right-hand [man] in one of the most successful periods in Liverpool,” Guardiola said.
“After I took time to decide, reflect. I wasn’t in direct touch with Pep because he was in Salzburg and his last experience was Liverpool many years ago.
“I asked permission from Jurgen because I didn’t want to interfere. I said, ‘Will it be a problem to talk to him?’ and he said, ‘Absolutely not’. So I talked, we talked a little, and in one or two days, we decided let’s try.
“I’m a fortunate guy! All the assistants I’ve had in my career, Wow! Everybody helped me incredible, I’ve been so, so fortunate. They make me a better, better manager, and I’m pretty sure Kolo [Toure] and especially Pep will help me.
“At the end it’s a question of back and forth; his knowledge, I drain, and every day since we met together, we talk a lot about tactics, football, training sessions – he’s been so inspiring. I’m really pleased, and we’ll see what happens in future.”
Lijnders has been helping Man City shift to a faster style of football over the last few days, and out of all the signings the Manchester club made so far, the Dutch coach could be the best.
- READ MORE: Surprise club among three teams that can help Man City’s Jack Grealish rediscover his old form
What Pepijn Lijnders will bring to Manchester City
It is fair to say that Man City were not the best team to watch for the majority of last season, as Guardiola’s men struggled to create chances as a result of the speed at which they played.
Lijnders will certainly help change this as the Dutch coach likes to be part of teams who play at high intensity with constant pressing, fluid attacking play, and quick transitions, which are hallmarks of his football philosophy.
This matched well with Klopp at Liverpool, and as a result, the duo were able to help the Reds win everything during their time at Anfield, and if it wasn’t for Guardiola, they might even have more medals in their collection.
Pundits and fans doubted Guardiola last season for the first time since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, and it is clear that the legendary coach has been taking steps towards proving everyone wrong throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
