admin Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will recover in Barcelona after emergency surgery on a severe back issue
Pep Guardiola will miss at least two Manchester City games after undergoing emergency surgery for a chronic back condition.
The Catalan has flown to Barcelona for successful surgery after suffering severe back pain recently and will recover there for several weeks before returning from his international break.
That means assistant Juanma Lillo will be in charge of the squad for at least Sheffield United and Fulham games. Lillo recently returned to the club with his assistant, who left in 2022 to become Qatar head coach.
The popular assistant will take charge in the coming weeks alongside fellow coach Carlos Vicens and goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor. City had a good start to the campaign.
Despite losing to Arsenal on penalties in the Community Shield, they won their first two Premier League games and lifted the Super Cup by beating Sevilla on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
In addition to the upcoming games, there is still work to be done before the transfer window closes on September 1. City expect to get a deal for Jeremy Doku over the line and are still looking for a midfielder following the confirmed lengthy absence of Kevin De Bruyne.
In terms of outgoings, Aymeric Laporte should soon complete a £23.5m move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. There are also questions remaining over a number of first team players, including Kalvin Phillips, Cole Palmer and James McAtee.
