“He Isn’t Delivering” – Dave Hendrick on Pep Lijnders’ Struggles at RB Salzburg | OneFootball

Pep Lijnders’ Struggles at RB Salzburg: A Tough Start for Liverpool’s Former Assistant

Pep Lijnders, once heralded as an integral part of Liverpool’s rise under Jurgen Klopp, is now facing mounting pressure as the manager of RB Salzburg. With the Austrian club renowned for its domestic dominance, Lijnders’ early tenure has left fans and critics questioning his suitability for the role. In the Anfield Index podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick, this topic was dissected with a sharp and critical eye.

A Club Built on Dominance

RB Salzburg is a club synonymous with success. Since becoming Red Bull Salzburg, they have won an astonishing ten Austrian Bundesliga titles in a row, a streak broken only last year. “The expectation for Red Bull Salzburg is to win the league every single season,” Hendrick noted. He emphasised that their failure to do so last year led to the sacking of their previous manager, Gerhard Struber.

Lijnders was brought in to rectify this and restore Salzburg’s supremacy. However, the club’s current form under his management suggests he may not be up to the task. As Hendrick put it, “Pep Lijnders has not lived up to what they wanted.”

Poor Results in Domestic and European Campaigns

Lijnders’ Salzburg have endured a rocky start, with six losses already this season—three in the league and three in the Champions League. Hendrick highlighted the particularly disappointing defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Sparta Prague, stating, “Both come from leagues that are comparable to yours, and you’ve been comfortably beaten by both.” Salzburg’s 4–0 home loss to Ligue 1 side Brest further compounded their woes.

Domestically, Salzburg’s defeats to Rapid Vienna and LASK Linz have frustrated fans further. Hendrick was unequivocal in his criticism: “These are not results that will sit well. The expectation for Salzburg is complete dominance, and Pep Lijnders isn’t delivering.”

Photo: IMAGO

Familiar Challenges for Lijnders

The struggles at Salzburg seem to echo issues Hendrick believes Liverpool faced during Lijnders’ time as assistant manager. “Jurgen gave him too much power, and we suffered for it,” he remarked. At Salzburg, Lijnders now holds ultimate responsibility, but Hendrick remains sceptical about his abilities as a head coach: “I just don’t think he’s a good manager. He’s a very good coach who needs to be kept in a defined role.”

Adding to the pressure is the underwhelming form of summer signings like Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic, both former Liverpool prospects. “Bobby Clark has played just 12 games and is not a regular starter,” Hendrick noted, while Bajcetic has struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances. Hendrick cited a particularly poor showing against Malik Yoba of Sturm Graz, saying, “He got absolutely monstered.”

What’s Next for Lijnders and Salzburg?

While it’s still early in Lijnders’ tenure, the road ahead looks daunting. Salzburg’s board will not be patient for long, as the club’s recent history shows. Hendrick warned, “They won’t give him too much rope. He needs to turn things around quickly.”

Despite the challenges, Salzburg’s high standards remain unchanged. Lijnders must find a way to balance developing young talent with the immediate need for results. As Hendrick summarised, “This is his first real job as a manager with real pressure, and for now, it’s not going well.”

The story of Pep Lijnders at RB Salzburg is one of unfulfilled promise so far. As the former Liverpool assistant faces increasing scrutiny, his struggles raise broader questions about the leap from coaching to management. Hendrick’s analysis on the Anfield Index podcast lays bare the challenges ahead for Lijnders, and time will tell if he can rise to meet them.