Pep Guardiola reveals the return of Juanma Lillo to Manchester City
In a press conference, Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, confirmed the return of his assistant, Juan Manuel Lillo, to the team. Lillo, who is 57 years old, rejoins the club after a year and his adventure in Qatar.
“Juanma is the best assistant you can have in tough times, and you need to find people close to you for these difficult moments. In good times, I don’t need anyone; just someone to open the champagne bottle to celebrate,” Guardiola stated in the press conference.
It is worth remembering that Juanma Lillo was the one who opened the doors for Guardiola in coaching when he invited him to be part of Dorados de Sinaloa, where he acted as a player and ‘coach’ on the field.
“Besides his football knowledge, he can identify even the most specific things that happen to the players. He is a great person. The entire staff and players are delighted to see him back,” insisted the Spanish coach.
With this, Lillo returns to Manchester City after a year, having tried his luck with Al Sadd in the 2022-23 season. However, he finished in third place in the Qatar league with 45 points, seven points behind the champion, Al Duhail.
Juanma Lillo will be on the bench at Wembley for the Community Shield against Arsenal, with the aim of continuing Manchester City’s success. During his previous two years at the club, he helped secure two Premier League titles, a League Cup, and a Champions League final in 2021.
Pep Guardiola on Barcelona’s interest in Bernardo Silva
On another note, Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, addressed the possible departures of Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva, with the latter being of interest to Barcelona.
“What can I say about Kyle and Bernardo? They are very important to us, and we will do everything because we want them to stay. Replacing them would be very difficult,” Guardiola said.
He added, “We have already lost two incredible players for us, like Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, who were decisive in the last two seasons with goals, assists, and had a great personality for important matches.”
To conclude, Juan Manuel Lillo will not be the only addition to the Cityzens for the Community Shield. Mateo Kovacic, who arrived from Chelsea, could also see some minutes on the field.
How will Juanma Lillo’s return to Manchester City benefit the team as they face a congested fixture list and intense competition?
E,” Guardiola said with a smile.
Lillo, a highly respected coach, previously worked with Guardiola at Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa in 2006. Since then, he has had an illustrious career, managing several clubs in Spain and around the world.
Guardiola spoke highly of Lillo’s coaching abilities, praising his tactical knowledge and his ability to develop young players. “Juanma has a unique understanding of the game, and his knowledge will be invaluable to us,” Guardiola stated.
Lillo’s return to Manchester City is seen as a crucial addition to the coaching staff as the team looks to defend their Premier League title and compete in other domestic and international competitions.
The announcement of Lillo’s return comes at a time when Manchester City is planning for what promises to be a challenging season. With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football schedules, the team will face a congested fixture list and intense competition.
Having someone like Lillo by his side will provide Guardiola with the support and guidance he needs to navigate these challenging circumstances. Lillo’s experience and tactical nous will be particularly valuable as Manchester City aims to maintain their high level of performance and continue their pursuit of success.
Overall, the return of Juanma Lillo to Manchester City is undoubtedly a significant development for the club. Guardiola’s trust and belief in his abilities make it clear that Lillo’s return will significantly benefit the team as they embark on another exciting season.
¡Estoy emocionado de ver a Juan Manuel Lillo de regreso en el Manchester City! Su experiencia y conocimiento seguramente aportarán mucho al equipo. ¡Vamos City!