Pep Guardiola has suggested he knows exactly who he wants to join his team of backroom staff this summer.
Guardiola is often – and rightly so – credited as a huge reason behind Manchester City’s success over the past seven years.
However, what is sometimes overlooked is the role played by his coaching staff.
Various different coaches have sat next to Guardiola in the Etihad Stadium dugout, including Rodolfo Borrell and Enzo Maresca.
Borrell was already working with City’s academy when Guardiola become manager in 2016, and was promoted by the Catalan to be one of his first-team assistants.
Maresca managed City’s EDS side in 2020/21, and returned to the club last season to join Guardiola’s coaching staff.
However, two of the key figures behind City’s treble success left the club this summer.
Borrell was appointed sporting director at MLS side Austin FC, while Maresca decided to return to management by taking the top job at Leicester City.
Guardiola knows who he wants
That means there are two vacant spots in Pep’s backroom team, and he has a good idea who he wants to fill them.
Speaking ahead of City’s friendly against Bayern Munich in Japan, Guardiola addressed the issue.
“I don’t know what happened with my assistant managers. I take care of them incredibly well, and all the time they drop me… If you want to come to the bench, I have a space now!” Guardiola joked.
“I want to say thank you a lot to Rodo [Borrell] for the incredible seven years together and Enzo [Maresca] for the last year. They were an incredible part of the success we had and I wish them the best. They deserve the best.
“We are looking to have some people to help us. But I have enough quality in the [backroom] team [this pre-season] and so far it is okay. I have in mind a few people but I cannot say more.”
MCN view: Don’t be surprised to see a familiar face
We’re pretty sure Juanma Lillo is one of the coaches Guardiola has in mind.
The Spaniard spent two years as Pep’s assistant between 2020 and 2022, and recently left his role as manager at Qatari side Al-Sadd.
According to The Athletic, City are working to bring him back at Guardiola’s request.
