admin Manchester City will take on Sheffield United and Fulham but Pep Guardiola will not be on the touchline
Despite his absence, Pep Guardiola will coach Manchester City in the next two games. Guardiola underwent emergency back surgery this week and will stay with Barcelona until the international break to continue his rehabilitation.
The manager will miss games against Sheffield United and Fulham but is expected to return for a visit to Nottingham Forest in September.
Juanma Lillo, who recently returned as assistant coach after a year as head coach in Qatar, will take on temporary team duties and will also handle pre-game communications at Bramall Lane.
However, the manager insists it is because Guardiola wants him and claims it will all go through him. “Sure! Pep is always there,” he said, “the contact is constant: phone, video call, everything.”
“He is watching Sheffield United right now. His health is what matters but that doesn’t stop him being who he is. He is fully focused on the team and the match.
“There is still a few training sessions and sometimes it’s about the feeling you have. With regards to the rival, the team. Pep has been doing his work and we will talk about it. Whatever he will say, whatever the input, that’s what will happen.”
“He is telling us the surgery has been successful, his recovery has to take the necessary time. He feels fine. I’m happy to see him going correctly.”
