Manchester City Adds Two Former Liverpool Coaches Ahead Club World Cup

Pep Guardiola is revamping his coaching staff at Manchester City ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, bringing in key personnel from Liverpool, including Pepijn Lijnders as his primary assistant and James French as the set-piece specialist. Lijnders, formerly Jurgen Klopp's right-hand man, and French, a former Liverpool data analyst, join the club as part of a strategic effort to strengthen City's coaching capabilities, a move praised by new sporting director Hugo Viana for aligning with Guardiola's football philosophy. Additionally, former Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is set to join Guardiola’s first-team coaching staff for the tournament, marking another significant addition as the club rebuilds its coaching structure following recent staff departures. Guardiola’s approach to coaching changes reflects a broader willingness to engage with significant issues beyond football, as demonstrated by his recent public comments on humanitarian crises, contrasting with the usual neutrality maintained by football clubs. These staffing changes highlight Guardiola's intent to blend his tactical expertise with fresh perspectives from rivals and former players to enhance Manchester City's competitive edge.