Bundesliga: Lijnders gives Salzburg new system

Despite the failure to defend the title, there was no major change. With talented Tim Paumgartner (Liefering), goalkeeper Janis Blaswich (RB Leipzig) and the Japanese team and midfielder Takumu Kawamura (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), who was presented on Monday, only three new signings have been confirmed. Ignace Van der Brempt (HSV), Dijon Kameri (Grasshoppers Zurich) and Kamil Piatkowski (Granada) are back from loans, at least for the time being. Andreas Ulmer, who won 13 championship titles with Salzburg, was not renewed.

The biggest change was in the sporting management, which for the first time in a long time is headed by a coach who does not come from the Red Bull stable. Lijnders is full of anticipation and raved about the city and the club at the start of training. “The club is young, ambitious and self-confident. They have a clear identity, great youth work and are enthusiastic about what they do and how they want to build something. I am proud to represent this city and this club,” said the 41-year-old.

Salzburg full of energy

Salzburg started the new season full of enthusiasm with the start of training in Taxham. The runners-up want to restore their reputation as serial champions. The new coach Pepijn Lijnders should also help with this.

Via Porto and Liverpool to Salzburg

The Dutchman brought a lot of passion to the pitch. In order to implement the 4-3-3 system that is popular in his home country, he ran routes with players. Discussions with the players were the focus, “to convey the idea to them and the spirit we want. We want to offer attractive football. We also made it clear to the players how high our intensity is.” The team has “extremely great potential,” Lijnders emphasized.

APA/AFP/Adrian Dennis Lijnders worked for ten years in Liverpool’s coaching team, six of them alongside Jürgen Klopp

The Dutchman has led his first training session as head coach of a professional team, but he brings a huge amount of experience with him. Lijnders spent five years at PSV Eindhoven, seven years at FC Porto and ten years at FC Liverpool, six of which were on the coaching team under Jürgen Klopp. “I had a lot of responsibility, had freedom and was able to contribute my tactical ideas. In terms of mentality and professionalism, I learned a lot from him and am eternally grateful to him for that,” said the new Salzburg head coach.

A mammoth programme awaits the “Bulls”

He has a mammoth program to complete with his new club. Salzburg will enter the Champions League in the third qualifying round on August 6/7, will definitely play in a European Cup group stage and will take part in the lucrative Club World Cup in the USA after the season from June 15, 2025. We want these international games “so that the team grows and the players develop further in order to take the club to the next level,” Lijnders emphasized.

The coach did not hear any concrete targets for success. “We talked less about titles, but rather about the path to get there,” said sports director Bernhard Seonbuchner.