Manchester City have welcomed Juanma Lillo back into Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff ahead of the new season.
The veteran coach joined Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff in 2020 and won two Premier League titles with the Blues before moving on in 2022 to take charge of Qatari side Al Sadd.
City replaced Lillo with fellow Spaniard Enzo Maresca, but he would last just 12 months before taking over as manager of Championship side Leicester City, leaving City in need of a new assistant, and a deal has now been struck to bring Lillo back to the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to the club’s website, Guardiola explained why he was so keen to have Lillo return.
“Juanma sees things no one else in the game sees. He understands football on an incredible level, so he is the perfect person for me to work alongside,” the City boss said.
“I have always been inspired by him – his knowledge of football, his intelligence and his humanity mark him out as a very special person in my life – and we have a shared ideology.
“He is a friend, a colleague and an inspiration. I am so, so happy he is back here at Manchester City.
“His preparation for matches is absolutely amazing. I know he will raise standards because he works so hard every single day.”
Lillo’s return to the City dugout could come on Sunday when City take on Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley.
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