Pepijn Lijnders‘ large leap into administration with Crimson Bull Salzburg has not gone to plan to date, with the previous Liverpool coach going through questions over his future.
Lijnders left Liverpool as a part of an exodus led by Jurgen Klopp and was swiftly appointed head coach of Salzburg – joined in Austria by Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer.
The signings of Bobby Clark (£10m) and Stefan Bajcetic (mortgage) adopted, however outcomes haven’t gone as hoped for Lijnders and his fellow Reds alumni to date.
4-and-a-half months into his reign, Lijnders’ document stands at: performed 21, received 11, drawn 5, misplaced 5.
Anticipated to problem for the title each season, Salzburg are fourth within the Austrian Bundesliga – 11 factors off the highest with two video games in hand – whereas a document of 1 win and three losses within the Champions League sees them thirtieth within the 36-team desk.
Unsurprisingly, there have been query marks raised over Lijnders’ position within the Salzburg dugout – however what has gone mistaken and what can we count on to occur?
To get an perception into how Lijnders’ reign to date has gone down in Austria, we spoke to The Different Bundesliga (@OtherBundesliga).
To start with, what was the response to Lijnders taking the Salzburg job?
The response to Lijnders’ appointment was one in every of shock actually.
Given his standing at Liverpool, lots of people thought that this was maybe a drop down for him, and imagined that he’d be capable of instantly take Salzburg again to the highest.
It’s secure to say issues haven’t gone to plan to date – why is that?
If anybody knew precisely why it wasn’t figuring out so properly, then the issue could be virtually solved, however it appears to stem from the defence.
As at all times, a number of good gamers have been bought or moved on, however the expertise coming by hasn’t been able to step up and fill the gaps, definitely at Champions League stage.
Salzburg are recognized for pushing ahead and taking part in thrilling, attacking soccer, however they’re lacking the linchpin within the center and the defensive energy that they loved of their strongest seasons.
There have been claims of favouritism round Bajcetic and Clark, is that truthful?
The favouritism claims stemmed from seeing Clark and Bajcetic going straight into the beginning XI for the Champions League opening recreation, after they hadn’t but shone within the league.
On the one hand it’s not stunning that the coach would belief gamers that he is aware of, however on the opposite, it’s certain to be seen as a little bit of a blow to others who had been competing for these spots within the extra conventional Salzburg order, having come up by FC Liefering after which settled within the Bundesliga.
And what expectations are there round Clark as a £10m signing?
The expectations round Clark are rightly fairly excessive.
Salzburg have excelled with gamers of his age and standing, however normally they might pay a lot much less after which assist the gamers to enhance.
Once they’ve spent this type of cash previously, the participant has been a extra completed article, for instance Rasmus Kristensen, who regarded like he was taking part in in a league above the remainder at instances.
It’ll be onerous for Clark to emulate that.
What concerning the attainable affect of Klopp – how has that gone down?
The Klopp information (editor: he’ll be a part of as Crimson Bull’s head of world soccer on January 1) has shocked some right here.
There are a lot of Liverpool or Dortmund followers in Austria, and they’re as stunned as anybody that he’s gone to the Crimson Bull empire.
From the Salzburg perspective, I believe individuals felt that Klopp was in all probability very a lot out there to his pal Lijnders anyway, however now that recommendation and assist will be considerably extra official.
We’re all to see how that shapes the crew, and the coach going forwards.
Put merely, are Salzburg more likely to stick or twist with Lijnders?
We really feel that the membership will stick by Lijnders.
The Champions League was at all times going to be powerful with a crew so younger, and though it’s not working too easily within the league both, the crew are nonetheless well-placed for now and so they’ll be proper within the title hunt.
After bringing in somebody with a CV like Lijnders’, particularly now Klopp is on board, Salzburg will certainly give him time.
• Thanks once more to The Different Bundesliga for his or her perception into Lijnders’ time at Salzburg. You’ll be able to observe them on Twitter @OtherBundesliga and hearken to their podcast on Spotify right here.
