Juanma Lillo set for Manchester City exit as part of coaching staff shake-up | OneFootball

Manchester City are set to part ways with assistant coach Juanma Lillo as part of a shake-up of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff, according to reports.

The 59-year-old has had two separate spells working within Guardiola’s backroom team having first arrived at the club back in June 2020 to replace Mikel Arteta following the Spaniard’s move to Arsenal in the previous winter.

Following a hugely successful spell working alongside Pep Guardiola and claiming numerous pieces of silverware along the way, Lillo returned to head coach duties by taking on the top job at Qatari side Al Sadd.

However, just one year on from his exit out to the Middle-East, the former Sevilla assistant and Real Sociedad boss made a return to Manchester City to take on the role of assistant coach once more.

But with a summer of change expected within the Etihad Stadium’s first-team set-up, largely concerning the on-field playing squad, it appears as though alterations will also be made on the bench and those that work around Pep Guardiola.

That is according to the information of AS’ Aritz Gabilondo, who reveals that Manchester City assistant coach Juanma Lillo is due to depart his role at the Etihad, ending a long-standing relationship with Pep Guardiola.

Despite his exit from Manchester City, it is explained that Lillo will remain connected to the football industry, and he will not be the only member of backroom staff to leave this summer with others to follow.

Juanma Lillo has maintained a strong personal and working relationship with some of Manchester City’s most prominent players behind-the-scenes – particularly Rodri – and holds huge amounts of respect among players at the club.

Lillo has also been called upon on several occasions to step up into Pep Guardiola’s lead head coach role on a temporary basis during his time at Manchester City, most notably back in September 2023 – shortly after his return for a second spell as an assistant.

Following emergency back surgery undertaken by Pep Guardiola, Juanma Lillo oversaw first-team managerial duties for Manchester City in victories over both Sheffield United and Fulham while the club’s head coach recovered in Spain.