Pep Guardiola to miss two Man City games after emergency back surgery
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is set to miss the club’s next two Premier League games after undergoing emergency surgery on a back injury.
The Premier League champions wrote in a statement on Tuesday that the 52-year-old was suffering from “severe” back pain and had flown back to Barcelona for a “routine operation”.
“Everyone at Manchester City wishes Pep a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing him back in Manchester soon,” the club’s post added, also confirming that assistant manager Juanma Lillo will take care of first-team training until Guardiola is fit to return.
Lillo will also oversee City’s next two Premier League games, against Sheffield United and Fulham, from the touchlin. Meanwhile, Guardiola, who will rehabilitate his injury back in Barcelona, is expected to resume normal duties after the September international break.
Guardiola has overseen a fast start from City as they bid to win a fifth Premier League title in six seasons. Burnley were swatted to one side on the opening day of the season, as City ran out 3-0 winners at Turf Moor, before Newcastle United were beaten by Julian Alvarez’s goal in Saturday’s late game.
City have also secured the UEFA Super Cup, beating Europa League holders Sevilla 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, having lost out to Arsenal in the curtain-raising Community Shield at Wembley.
There could also be further good news for Guardiola in the transfer market, with City closing in on a deal for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku. The Belgian recently informed his club of his desire to move to last season’s Champions League holders, and a €65m (£55.4m) fee has now been agreed ahead of the 21-year-old signing a five-year contract in Manchester.
