Juanma Lillo returns to Manchester City coaching staff as Pep Guardiola seeks replacement for Enzo Maresca following Leicester City move

Juanma Lillo has rejoined Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City coaching staff after treble winners assistant manager Enzo Maresca lost to Leicester City in June.

Lillo, 57, worked for City between 2020 and 2022, helping the club win two Premier League titles and a Carabao Cup.

He left the Etihad Stadium in June 2022 to take up the role of Head Coach with Al-Sadd of the Qatar Stars League.

He was replaced by former West Brom midfielder Enzo Maresca, but the Italian’s decision to take up the managerial position at Leicester has allowed Lillo to return to Manchester.

The Spaniard was previously Guardiola’s manager at Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa and the City boss has expressed his delight at working with Lillo.

Lillo, 57, previously managed Pep Guardiola at Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa and spent two seasons with him at Manchester City

Guardiola said: “Juanma sees things no one else sees in the game. He understands football on an incredible level, so he’s the perfect person for me to work with.

“I’ve always been inspired by him – his knowledge of football, his intelligence and his humanity characterize him as a very special person in my life – and we have a shared ideology.

“He is a friend, a colleague and an inspiration. I’m so, so glad he’s back here at Manchester City.

“His competition preparation is nothing short of amazing. I know he will raise the bar because he works so hard every day.”

City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday and will begin their Premier League title defense against Burnley on Friday 11 August.