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
Adenta Building Collapse Linked to Illegal Construction and Ignored Stop-Work Orders
A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has revealed that the project was carried out without the required regulatory approvals and in defiance of official stop-work directives issued by local authorities. The findings were released by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC). According to the committee, the incident highlights serious violations of Ghana’s building regulations and raises concerns about compliance and enforcement within the construction sector. The building collapsed on June 3, 2026, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children. Rescue teams successfully pulled four individuals from the rubble alive and transported them to the […]
Kpandai Residents Encouraged to Promote Unity and Peace for Sustainable Development
Residents of Kpandai in the Northern Region have been encouraged to put aside tribal, linguistic and political differences and work collectively toward the development of their communities. The call was made by the Parish Priest of St. Kizito Parish, Rev. Fr. Moses Nseaminya, during the launch of the St. Kizito Parish Feast, Partnership and Cultural Day Celebration. The event seeks to promote peace, social cohesion and stronger relationships among the various ethnic groups living within the district. Speaking during the launch, Rev. Fr. Nseaminya emphasized that diversity should be viewed as a strength that can drive development rather than a source of conflict and division. He noted that although residents come from different cultural backgrounds and hold varying political views, they all share a common goal of improving the welfare and future of Kpandai. According to the parish priest, meaningful […]
ECG Explains Power Outages in Greater Accra and Western Regions Following Technical Faults
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed ongoing power interruptions in parts of the Greater Accra and Western regions to separate technical faults affecting its distribution network. In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, the power distributor said a technical fault at the Nsawam Primary Station has disrupted electricity supply to several communities within the Accra West operational area. The affected communities include Hebron, Medie, Samsam, Satellite, Koleman and nearby areas, where residents have been experiencing intermittent power outages. According to ECG, engineering teams have been deployed to the station and are actively working to identify and rectify the fault to restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, in the Western Region, a broken high-tension (HT) electricity pole at Ankasa has caused a separate power disruption, affecting multiple towns and communities across the area. Communities […]
Burkina Faso forme 8 000 jeunes VDP agricoles pour renforcer l’autosuffisance alimentaire
La cérémonie officielle de sortie de la 3e cohorte des Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) agricoles et de fin de formation de 8 000 jeunes en entrepreneuriat agricole s’est tenue le 5 juin 2026 à l’École nationale de formation agricole (ENAFA) de Matourkou. L’initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Initiative présidentielle pour l’agriculture et l’autosuffisance alimentaire, portée par les autorités burkinabè. Cette formation vise à renforcer les capacités des jeunes dans le secteur agricole tout en les impliquant dans une dynamique de production locale et de souveraineté alimentaire. Une jeunesse formée entre agriculture, civisme et engagement citoyen Le directeur exécutif du Bureau national des grands projets du Burkina Faso, Hamidou Sawadogo, a salué l’engagement des bénéficiaires. Selon lui, le programme traduit la volonté des autorités de transformer durablement le secteur agricole afin de réduire la dépendance alimentaire […]
Clément Zongo dédicace trois ouvrages littéraires à Ouagadougou
Le journaliste-chroniqueur burkinabè Clément Zongo a procédé, le 6 juin 2026 à Ouagadougou, à la dédicace de trois ouvrages intitulés La fille aux cheveux châtains, Les Chroniques de Clément Zongo et Juste un coup de plume. La cérémonie, organisée dans la grande salle du Centre national des arts du spectacle et de l’audiovisuel (CENASA), a réuni des acteurs du monde culturel, des professionnels des médias ainsi que de nombreux passionnés de littérature. De son vrai nom Alexis Yaméogo, Clément Zongo est titulaire d’une maîtrise en sciences et techniques de l’information et de la communication. Conseiller des affaires culturelles, il s’est distingué au fil des années grâce à plusieurs récompenses obtenues dans le domaine littéraire. Un roman consacré à la lutte contre les préjugés liés à l’albinisme Parmi les œuvres présentées figure La fille aux cheveux châtains, un roman qui aborde […]
Three Rescued as Rescue Teams Search for Trapped Victims After North Industrial Area Building Collapse
Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and extract individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Accra’s North Industrial Area following a structural failure that has left several people injured. According to Alex King Nartey of the Ghana National Fire Service's communications team, three people have so far been rescued from the scene and are currently receiving medical treatment. However, emergency responders fear that at least three more individuals may still be trapped under the debris. Speaking at the site, Mr. Nartey explained that rescue operations have been slowed by the absence of earth-moving equipment needed to remove large sections of collapsed concrete and debris safely. He disclosed that the Fire Service has requested assistance from the military, while the Mayor of Accra has also facilitated the deployment of heavy machinery to support the […]
Related
Salah arrives in Turkey for Trabzonspor talks
The 34‑year‑old Egyptian forward landed at Istanbul Ataturk Airport on Wednesday, greeted by excited Trabzonspor fans as the club confirmed ongoing transfer talks.rte+2 Trabzonspor shared photos of Salah on social media, showing him aboard a private jet and wearing the club’s blue and maroon shirt, captioned “Salah mode: ON.” The club had earlier announced that negotiations to sign the former Liverpool star were under way, with the player expected to travel on to Trabzon after completing his medical in Istanbul.bbc+4 According to Turkish media reports, Salah is set to sign a two‑year contract with an option for a third, worth around €17 million a year. The winger scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions and 193 Premier League goals—191 of them for the Reds—making him one of the club’s all‑time greats and one of Africa’s most […]
Tottenham get green light to open bid for Osimhen
Tottenham are pushing to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray as new manager Roberto De Zerbi makes him a key summer target. Reports say Spurs have been given sporting approval to open talks for the 27-year-old, and personal terms are not expected to be a major obstacle once a fee is agreed. The London club’s opening approach is believed to be in the £50 million to £55 million bracket, but Galatasaray are holding out for about £65 million. Osimhen remains contracted to Galatasaray until 2029, and the Turkish club are said to value him much higher because of his goal-scoring record and importance to the squad. Earlier reports also indicated that Osimhen would be open to a Premier League move, strengthening speculation around Tottenham’s interest.
How many African countries will qualify for Women’s World Cup through WAFCON?
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will decide Africa’s route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.punchng+2 The four semifinalists at WAFCON will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The two losing quarter-finalists with the best tournament records will move on to the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs, where they will try to secure the continent’s remaining spots. That means Africa is guaranteed at least four World Cup teams, and could have as many as six if both playoff representatives qualify. The tournament features 16 teams in four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
World Cup must be kept out of private hands – Chelsea manager Alonso
Alonso backs UEFA’s opposition to FIFA’s plan to create a commercial subsidiary for the World Cup and allow private investors to acquire stakes, warning it could undermine the sport’s authenticity. Speaking in Sydney, where Chelsea are on a pre-season tour, the Spanish World Cup winner said: “I think that football has to be for the people, not in private hands.” He added that fans love the game because it is for everyone, and that some things about the World Cup should stay the same to preserve its emotions and passion. European football’s governing body UEFA has said it is ready to boycott the World Cup over the proposal, arguing the sport “cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.” FIFA, however, has vowed to press ahead with an “open and democratic” consultation, […]
Commonwealth Games: Amusan storms into 100m hurdles final
Tobi Amusan delivered a commanding run in the opening semifinal, clocking a wind‑assisted 12.19 seconds to top the field and book her place in Thursday’s final. The former world champion finished comfortably ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie (12.50s) and Jamaica’s Kerrica Hill (12.69s) in her heat. Although Amusan’s time is the fastest ever recorded in the event at the Commonwealth Games, it will not count as a Games record because it was aided by a +3.8m/s tailwind, above the legal +2.0m/s limit for record purposes. Amusan looked in complete control throughout the race, pulling away from the pack to secure automatic qualification for the final later on Thursday. A victory in the final would add the Commonwealth Games women’s 100m hurdles title to her collection of international honours and further cement her status as one of the world’s leading […]
FIFA issues deadline to members over plan to sell $4 bn stake
FIFA has given member associations until September 19 to support a plan that would sell a stake in its major competitions, with each member reportedly set to receive $40 million if the proposal goes through.supersport+1 According to reports, FIFA wants to create a new company to run its biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, and then sell up to 20 or 21 percent of the business to private investors. The move could generate about $4.2 billion, while a broader funding package tied to the project could rise to $10 billion.reuters+4 FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reportedly told member associations that they must decide by September 19 if they want to benefit from the payout. If approved, the plan would represent one of FIFA’s biggest commercial shifts in recent years and could reshape how the body funds […]