Red Bull Salzburg have sacked manager Pep Legenders after 16 Austrian Bundesliga matches in charge, saying Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool oversaw a performance “far below our own needs and objectives”.

The Dutchman was appointed Legends in May after six years in a second spell at Anfield and led Salzburg to the Champions League via two qualifying ties, as well as winning his first three league matches in charge.

Salzburg have won three and lost six of their 12 matches in October and November and have lost five and won one of their first six matches in Europe, en route to automatic elimination from the Champions League.

OFFICIAL: FC Red Bull Salzburg and the Pepijn legends are parting ways, with the 41-year-old Dutchman relieved of his duties today. Thanks for your commitment and all the best for the future, Pep!

— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) December 16, 2024

RB Salzburg: Legends ‘gave momentum’

“We recently started to analyze as planned what has unfortunately not been a satisfactory season so far,” Salzburg said in a statement, adding that they hope the new players will be ready when their players resume training on January 3. The manager will get the position.

“It was clear to see that, in many of our matches, we fell far short of our own needs and objectives. So we are convinced that our team needs a new impetus under new management, even if we hope for a turnaround towards the end.

“We want to thank Pep for his work. He put a lot of effort and passion into it and provided important momentum for our further development. We are now very intensively looking for a new coach.

Fifth-placed Salzburg are 10 points behind Austrian leaders Sturm Graz after winning their seven league games under the Legends.

“Our friendship is great, our commitment is also great. Our loyalty is huge. Strong together. “

An emotional Pep Legends 🥹 on what Jurgen Klopp means to him pic.twitter.com/Gjw2JeibOL

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 18, 2024

Legends: Klopp’s Liverpool assistant

The Dutchman legends originally joined Liverpool as a development coach in 2014, becoming Klopp’s assistant following the German’s appointment in 2015.

Legendres became manager at Dutch side NEC in January 2018 but was sacked less than six months later when they lost in the play-offs for promotion to the Eredivisie’s top flight.

Klopp reappointed the Legends a month later, and the pair won the Champions League the following season, as well as the 2019/20 Premier League and 2021/22 FA Cup.

Red Bull, whose other clubs include German heavyweights RB Leipzig and MLS Cup finalists New York Red Bulls, will appoint Klopp as their global head of soccer on January 1.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss left Liverpool along with his coaching staff at the end of last season as he sought a break from the demands of management.