Red Bull Salzburg have sacked manager Pep Lijnders after 16 Austrian Bundesliga matches in charge, saying Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool had overseen performances “far short of our own requirements and aims”.
Dutchman Lijnders was appointed in May after six years in his second spell at Anfield and guided Salzburg to a place in the Champions League through two qualifying ties, as well as winning his first three league matches in charge.
Salzburg won three and lost six of their 12 matches in October and November and are on course for automatic elimination from the Champions League, having lost five and won one of their first six games in Europe.
OFFICIAL: FC Red Bull Salzburg and Pepijn Lijnders are parting ways, the 41-year-old Dutchman was released from his duties today. Thank you for your commitment and all the best for the future, Pep!
— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) December 16, 2024
“We began recently to analyse, as planned, what has unfortunately not been a satisfactory season so far,” Salzburg said in a statement, adding that they hope to have a new manager in place when their players resume training on January 3.
“It was clear to see that, in many of our matches, we have been far short of our own requirements and aims. We have therefore become convinced that our team needs a new impulse under new management, even if we continued to hope for a turnaround until the end.
“We would like to thank Pep for his work. He put a lot of effort and passion into it and has provided important momentum for our further development. We are now very intensively looking for a new coach.”
More to follow
