Lijn of command

JURGEN KLOPP convinced Pep Lijnders to move to Manchester City - by telling his longtime No.2 he would join Pep Guardiola himself if the Dutchman didn't.

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Three coaches left the City dugout at the end of last season and Guardiola looked to Lijnders to join him in time for the Club World Cup.

As excited as he was by the opportunity, the man who spent many fruitful years working with Klopp (below) at Liverpool felt he had to speak to his old boss.

Guardiola had spoken to some of Lijnders' close friends and colleagues to sound out whether he would be open to working with him, but the 43-year-old admits it was not an easy decision.