The Catalan coach is sidelined for Manchester Citys upcoming fixtures with leadership on the touchline in transition
Manchester City confirmed that Pep Guardiola will miss a stretch of matches as he undergoes medical treatment. The club announced on its official channels that the long serving manager underwent surgery on Tuesday, August 22, following a prolonged period of back pain that affected his role with the team. The medical update from City stated that Guardiola had traveled to Barcelona for emergency surgery conducted by Dr Mireia Illueca and that the operation was successful. The club added that Guardiola would begin his rehabilitation in Barcelona and return to training when he is ready.
In Guardiola’s absence, the responsibility for first team training falls to the club’s interim head coach, Juanma Lillo. He will take charge of Guardiola’s duties during matches and oversee preparations ahead of the forthcoming fixtures. City officials expressed optimism about Guardiola’s recovery and looked forward to his return to Manchester once medical clearance is granted.
The immediate schedule underscores the impact of Guardiola’s absence on key Premier League confrontations. He will not be on the touchline for the home clash with Sheffield United on August 27 or the away fixture at Fulham on September 2. The manager is expected to be back in action by September 16 for the domestic showdown against West Ham United, subject to his recovery timeline and medical advice. The club stressed that the squad remains focused on maintaining high performance during Guardiola’s recovery period and that all players and staff send wishes for a swift and full return.
Fans and analysts in Canada and the United States have been watching the situation closely, given Guardiola’s influence on Citys style and success. The update highlights the teams readiness to navigate a short absence while preserving the core tactical approach under interim leadership. City supporters are urged to stay tuned for further medical updates and coaching announcements as Guardiola continues his rehabilitation.
Note: This summary reflects official communications from Manchester City and subsequent reporting across major sports outlets. It captures the essential facts about the surgery, the substitution plan, and the upcoming match schedule without speculating on the longer term timeline beyond rehabilitation progress and match readiness.