Pep's Bold Move: Why City Are Going Direct

Manchester City's £150m summer spending spree may have grabbed headlines, but Pep Guardiola's most significant acquisition cost nothing - and won't even kick a ball.

The Tactical Mastermind Behind the Scenes

In June, Manchester City made a strategic move by appointing Pep Lijnders, the tactical architect of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool success, as Guardiola's new assistant. This under-the-radar appointment suggests Guardiola is preparing for a major tactical evolution at the Etihad.

Bridging the Philosophical Divide

Lijnders brings with him the counter-pressing philosophy that once served as the antidote to Guardiola's positional play. While their approaches have often been framed as opposites, the reality is more nuanced:

• Klopp incorporated elements of territorial control into his "heavy metal" football
• Guardiola adapted Klopp's ideas to Premier League demands
• Their peak teams represented a perfect blend of dynamism and control

The Changing Face of Premier League Football

Guardiola's recent comments reveal his recognition of football's tactical shift:

"Modern football is the way Bournemouth, Newcastle, Brighton and Liverpool play. Modern football is not positional. You have to ride the rhythm."

Statistics support this evolution:

• City's possession dropped from 65.5% to 61.3% (2023-24 to 2024-25)
• Fast breaks increased by 36% (22 to 30)
• League-wide pressing intensity (PPDA) continues to decline

Building Manchester City 2.0

City's summer signings reflect this tactical pivot:

PlayerKey AttributesImpactOmar MarmoushDirect dribbling, line-breakingFirst signing of the new eraRayan CherkiProgressive carries (89)Adds verticalityTijjani ReijndersDribble success (63)Midfield dynamismRayan Ait-Nouri11 goal involvementsAttacking fullback profile

The New Tactical Blueprint

These signings point to several key changes:

1. Reduced emphasis on positional rigidity
2. Greater focus on transitional play
3. More direct attacking through dribbling
4. Attacking fullbacks replacing midfield hybrids

With Lijnders' influence and these strategic signings, Guardiola appears ready to embrace a more dynamic, Klopp-inspired approach. As the 2025-26 season approaches, City fans can anticipate a thrilling evolution in their team's playing style - one that blends Guardiola's control with the intensity that brought Liverpool so much success.