Man City’s Head Coach, Pep Guardiola To Miss Two Matches After Undergoing Back Surgery

Pep Guardiola will miss Manchester City’s next two Premier League matches after undergoing back surgery in Barcelona.

A statement from the Premier League champions made it known that Guardiola has been struggling with back pain for some time and has undergone emergency surgery in Barcelona.

Guardiola’s surgery was successful but he will continue his rehabilitation in the city. The 52-year-old is not expected to be back on the touchline for City until after the international break, meaning he will miss this Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United.

In his absence, Juanma Lillo – who only returned to the club as assistant manager earlier this month after undergoing a spell as Al Sadd manager in Qatar – will take charge of training and matches for the treble winners.

This is not the first time Man City have had to cope without their manager since Guardiola first came to the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016.

A Champions League touchline ban in the middle of 2018 meant Guardiola put Mikel Arteta in charge for the visit of Lyon in September of that year, a group-stage game which City lost 2-1.

Then, at the beginning of 2022, Guardiola missed a FA Cup third round-tie at Swindon Town due to contracting coronavirus.