Manchester City’s exuberant summer spending—over £300m on new names like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rayan Cherki—grabbed headlines, but the signing of Pep Lijnders as Pep Guardiola’s new No. 2 may prove the most impactful move of all.
After a trophyless 2024–25, Guardiola erased Juanma Lillo, Íñigo Domínguez, and set-piece coach Carlos Vicens from his bench, bringing in Lijnders and Liverpool’s former dead-ball specialist James French to reboot the club’s coaching DNA. Lijnders—long known as Jürgen Klopp’s fiery right-hand—joins City with a reputation as a tactical energiser whose unrelenting intensity revolutionised Liverpool’s training ground culture.
Why a coach can matter more than expensive signings
- Catalyst over commodity: Unlike a player, a No. 2 touches every aspect—training drills, matchday patterns, morale. Lijnders has been credited with instilling the very ethos that made ‘heavy-metal’ Liverpool tick. Guardiola himself admitted a desire for “new energy” after losing laurels, suggesting staff turnover was as important as player conquests.
- A high-stakes handover: With Kevin De Bruyne’s exit and City’s midfield in flux, structure and discipline are paramount. Lijnders brings match rhythm, pressing designs, and an insistence on accountability among stars—traits that can unlock potential faster than expensive transfers alone.
- Historical parallels: Football history remembers Boh Paisley behind Bill Shankly and Peter Taylor next to Brian Clough—silent geniuses whose influence outlasted even marquee signings. Pep foregoing marquee assistants for a proven motivator like Lijnders echoes that tradition—he is this season’s signing even City’s finance team hadn’t forecast.
Synergy or discord? The on-pitch signal
City’s rebuild has been bold but delicate. Guardiola’s belief in good players must now dovetail with coaching methods to integrate newcomers – Reijnders slotting beside Rodri, Aït-Nouri reshaping left flank dynamics, and Cherki adding unpredictability. Lijnders’ arrival may be the connective tissue between conceptual overload and coherent execution.
Yet, the gamble is not without risk. A voice as loud as Klopp’s former No. 2 may clash with Guardiola’s methodical style—especially in high-pressure environments like the upcoming Club World Cup or Premier League disruptions. But it may be precisely that friction Guardiola needed to snap City out of complacency.
More than a facelift: staff as the new game plan
City hired Hugo Viana as technical director after years of Chavarria’s conservative transfers; now Lijnders serves as a fulcrum, binding new signings to evolved tactics. As Aït-Nouri and Reijnders settle in, the importance of a trainer bridging psychology, structure, and intensity has arguably overshadowed mere budgetary muscle.
This recalibration underscores a shifting reality: at elites like City, how players are coached often matters as much as who they are. If Lijnders can translate Liverpool’s grit into City’s sleek style, his appointment may become the unsung signing that rekindles Guardiola’s dominance.
In short, City’s summer surprise wasn’t in the kit room—it was on the touchline. Pep Lijnders arrives not just as assistant manager, but as a force that could make this rebuild more coherent than the club’s £300m in names ever could.
About the author
Ibrahim Traoré accueille le président de l’UA Évariste Ndayishimiye à Ouagadougou
Le Président du Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, a accueilli ce lundi 20 avril 2026 au matin, à l’aéroport international de Ouagadougou, le Président en exercice de l’Union africaine, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Cette visite officielle s’inscrit dans le cadre des relations diplomatiques entre les États africains et les institutions continentales. Des échanges avec la Confédération AES Au cours de son séjour, le chef de l’État burundais, également président en exercice de l’UA, aura des échanges avec Ibrahim Traoré en sa qualité de Président de la Confédération des États du Sahel (AES). Ces discussions devraient porter sur des enjeux politiques, sécuritaires et de coopération régionale. Visites d’infrastructures à Ouagadougou Le programme de la visite prévoit également des déplacements sur plusieurs infrastructures socio-économiques dans la capitale, Ouagadougou. Ces visites visent à mettre en lumière les initiatives de développement en cours dans le pays. Une visite […]
LOOMIC : ABSTERGO lance une nouvelle marque d’accessoires tech au Burkina Faso
Dans un contexte où les accessoires numériques occupent une place centrale dans la vie quotidienne, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY franchit une nouvelle étape. Le 18 avril 2026, l’entreprise a officiellement lancé LOOMIC, une marque dédiée aux essentiels technologiques, avec une ambition claire : allier performance, design et accessibilité. Une vision : rendre la technologie utile et accessible Avec LOOMIC, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY veut combler le fossé entre le haut de gamme et l’accessibilité. Selon son fondateur, Marthial Oubda, les accessoires du quotidien ont longtemps été sous-estimés. « La technologie doit faire plus que fonctionner. Elle doit simplifier et améliorer l’expérience », a-t-il expliqué. LOOMIC se positionne ainsi comme une marque centrée sur l’essentiel, avec une approche axée sur l’innovation utile et un design minimaliste. Voltis : un écosystème de charge performant La marque inaugure sa gamme Voltis, dédiée à l’énergie et à la […]
Audit Exposes GHS427m Payroll Scandal at Defence Ministry
A shocking audit report has uncovered a massive payroll scandal involving a senior government official who allegedly received over GHS427 million in unearned salaries over 29 months. The individual at the center of the controversy, Frank Oliver Kpodo, served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence Ghana during the period under review. Millions Paid for No Work Done According to findings by the Auditor-General of Ghana, the payments were made between January 2023 and June 2025. On average, this amounts to more than GHS14 million per month—funds reportedly paid without corresponding work. The audit, which examined government payroll systems, aimed to ensure that only legitimate employees receive salaries. Instead, it exposed what appears to be a deeply flawed system. Part of a Larger Payroll Leak The report found that over 6,000 government employees collectively received more than GHS800 […]
Old Tafo MP Questions NPRA Sole Sourcing, Raises Transparency Concerns
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised fresh concerns about procurement practices at the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). He warned that the growing use of sole sourcing could undermine transparency and value for money. Questions Over High-Value Contracts Speaking on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Assafuah pointed to several major contracts awarded through sole sourcing. These include: A consultancy deal worth GH¢4.2 million A vehicle procurement arrangement exceeding GH¢17 million and $160,000 According to him, the repeated reliance on sole sourcing for such high-value transactions raises serious concerns about due process. “Sole sourcing is meant for urgency and necessity, not convenience and favouritism,” he stated. Concerns Over Costly Consultancy Engagements The MP also questioned the need for certain consultancy services. He noted that a reported monthly cost of about GH¢175,000 could suggest duplication […]
Kaya : 190 jeunes et femmes reçoivent des kits pour lancer leurs activités
À Kaya, 190 personnes, majoritairement des jeunes et des femmes, disposent désormais des moyens nécessaires pour lancer leurs propres activités génératrices de revenus. Le 25 mars 2026, SOS Villages d’Enfants a procédé à la remise officielle de kits d’installation complets, marquant une nouvelle étape dans son programme d’autonomisation. Un investissement de près de 40 millions FCFA L’opération représente un investissement global de 39 751 400 FCFA. Ce montant se répartit comme suit : 27 361 650 FCFA pour l’acquisition du matériel 12 389 750 FCFA consacrés à la formation technique des bénéficiaires L’objectif est clair : permettre un démarrage immédiat des activités avec des compétences solides. Des équipements pour plusieurs métiers Les kits distribués couvrent différents secteurs d’activité : Production d’attiéké : 32 femmes Coupe et couture : 42 bénéficiaires Transformation de produits ligneux : 56 personnes Teinture de pagnes […]
JEPPC 2026 : Émile Zerbo appelle à consommer local pour renforcer la souveraineté
Le Burkina Faso a officiellement lancé, ce 26 mars 2026, la première phase des Journées nationales d’engagement patriotique et de participation citoyenne (JEPPC). La cérémonie, organisée au ministère de la Justice, a été présidée par Émile Zerbo, ministre d’État chargé de l’Administration territoriale. Un thème centré sur la souveraineté alimentaire Pour cette troisième édition, le thème choisi est clair :« Produisons burkinabè, consommons burkinabè, notre assiette, notre fierté » À travers ce message, les autorités entendent promouvoir un changement profond des habitudes de consommation et renforcer le patriotisme économique. Un discours fort contre la dépendance aux importations Relayant le message du chef de l’État, Émile Zerbo a dénoncé une forme d’impérialisme ancrée dans le quotidien. Selon lui, la dépendance aux produits importés affaiblit l’économie nationale et marginalise les producteurs locaux. Il a notamment pointé du doigt la présence massive de […]
Related
Arsenal reach UCL final with unbeaten run
It may seem unusual to say a team heading to a Champions League final has gone somewhat under the radar, but that has largely been the case for Arsenal this season. Much of the focus has been on their push to end a 22-year wait for a Premier League title, overshadowing what has been an outstanding European campaign under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal secured their place in the final in Budapest after a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final. A first-half goal from Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory. While the performance at the Emirates Stadium was not their most dominant, Arsenal’s overall displays in Europe this season have been highly effective. They remain the only unbeaten side left in the competition, recording impressive wins against Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Sporting CP. Their […]
Impressive Team Nigeria secure three World Relays spots in Gaborone
Team Nigeria delivered an impressive performance at the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, securing three qualification spots for next year’s World Championships. With a largely home based squad, the athletes rose to the occasion and ensured Nigeria will be represented in multiple relay events on the global stage. Nigeria’s biggest highlight came in the mixed 4x400m relay, where the quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Taiwo Kudoro, Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon George ran a season’s best of 3:12.88 to finish second in their heat. That result was enough to secure a ticket to the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and underlined the country’s growing strength in the one lap relay. The women’s 4x100m team also secured qualification after bouncing back from an earlier setback. Following a baton mishap that cost them in their first outing, the quartet of Rosemary […]
Super sub Iheanacho delighted after firing Celtic to the summit
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed his excitement after coming off the bench to score the decisive goal that lifted Celtic to the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The Nigerian striker was once again the hero as his late strike sealed a 2 1 comeback win away to Hibernian at Easter Road. Celtic went ahead in the first half through Daizen Maeda, but Hibs captain Joe Newell levelled the game before the break despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men following Jamie McGrath’s red card. The visitors then piled on the pressure in the second period, creating chances but struggling to find a breakthrough until Iheanacho stepped up. Introduced as a second half substitute, Iheanacho made his impact in the 72nd minute when he calmly finished inside the box after Celtic forced another opening against the tiring […]
2026 World Cup: Switzerland eye another deep run
Switzerland will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States targeting another deep run after years of consistency on the biggest stage. The Nati have quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most organised and reliable tournament sides and now want to move from respected outsiders to genuine contenders. The 2026 finals will be Switzerland’s 13th appearance at a World Cup and their sixth in a row since 2006. Historically, they reached the quarter finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954 and, in the modern era, they have advanced from the group stage in five of their last six World Cup campaigns. Granit Xhaka, fresh from a title winning season and enjoying some of the best form of his career, is expected to captain the side and set the tempo in midfield. Around him, […]
Moffi, Sanusi win Portuguese league title with Porto
Super Eagles duo Terem Moffi and Zaidu Sanusi have been crowned champions of the 2025 2026 Portuguese league with FC Porto. Their team sealed the title after a decisive home win that put them out of reach of rivals Benfica and Sporting on the Liga Portugal table. Porto went into the crucial fixture needing one more victory to confirm their status as champions, having already opened a seven point lead at the top with three games remaining. The Dragons delivered the required result in front of their home fans, securing their 31st Portuguese league title and their first since the 2021 2022 season. For left back Zaidu Sanusi, the triumph marks his second league championship with Porto, adding to the title he won in 2022. The defender has enjoyed another strong season, contributing at both ends of the pitch and […]
Moffi, Sanusi win Portuguese league title with Porto
Super Eagles duo Terem Moffi and Zaidu Sanusi have been crowned champions of the 2025 2026 Portuguese league with FC Porto. Their team sealed the title after a decisive home win that put them out of reach of rivals Benfica and Sporting on the Liga Portugal table. Porto went into the crucial fixture needing one more victory to confirm their status as champions, having already opened a seven point lead at the top with three games remaining. The Dragons delivered the required result in front of their home fans, securing their 31st Portuguese league title and their first since the 2021 2022 season. For left back Zaidu Sanusi, the triumph marks his second league championship with Porto, adding to the title he won in 2022. The defender has enjoyed another strong season, contributing at both ends of the pitch and […]