Pep Guardiola has back surgery in Barcelona and will miss two Man City matches after suffering ‘severe pain for some time’

Pep Guardiola will be absent for Manchester City’s upcoming games against Sheffield United and Fulham after undergoing back surgery.

The City manager flew to Barcelona for surgery on a minor problem that has plagued him for some time and will now undergo a period of recuperation before returning to work.

Guardiola traveled back to his home country, where he underwent an “emergency operation” and successfully completed the procedure.

The 52-year-old was in the dugout for opening Premier League victories over Burnley and Newcastle, and traveled to Greece for the UEFA Super Cup, but will miss the upcoming matches.

In a statement announcing the news on Tuesday, the club said: ‘Manchester City boss has been suffering from severe back pain lately and has flown to Barcelona for emergency surgery performed by Dr Mireia Illueca.

Guardiola (black t-shirt) will miss Manchester City’s upcoming games against Sheffield United and Fulham

The City boss (right) underwent a successful ’emergency surgery’ in Barcelona

The operation was a success and Pep will now recover and rehabilitate in Barcelona.

“In his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will oversee first-team coaching on the training ground and take over duties on the sidelines until Pep’s return,” City added.

“It is expected that he will return after the upcoming international break.

“Everyone at Manchester City wishes Pep a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in Manchester soon.”

The surgeon responsible for treating Guardiola’s back problem specializes in microsurgery of the spine and minimally invasive surgery of the spine.

According to the Barcelona Spine Institute, Dr. Illueca formerly a resident of Majorca neurosurgery has gained extensive experience in resolving complex fractures of the spine.

Guardiola has entrusted assistant manager Lillo with first-team responsibilities in his absence.

The 57-year-old rejoined Guardiola’s coaching staff in August after former assistant Enzo Maresca left to become manager at Championship side Leicester.

Guardiola (right) has entrusted first-team responsibilities to assistant manager Juanma Lillo (left) in his absence

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

Guardiola has tremendous confidence in his colleague and earlier this summer welcomed his return to the Etihad.

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

“I have always been inspired by him – his football knowledge, his intelligence and his humanity mark 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 glad he’s back here at Manchester City.

“His competition preparation is absolutely amazing. I know he will raise the standards because he works so hard every day.”