Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has undergone minor back surgery in Barcelona and will miss the next two Premier League games. The Spanish coach has been dealing with severe back pain and decided to have a routine operation performed by Dr Mireia Illueca.
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The surgery was successful, and Guardiola will now recover and rehabilitate in Barcelona until after the international break. He is expected to return to Manchester in early September and resume his duties as the leader of the defending champions.
A City statement announcing the news read: "Pep Guardiola has today undergone a routine operation on a back problem. The Manchester City boss has been suffering with severe back pain for some time lately and flew out to Barcelona for emergency surgery performed by Dr Mireia Illueca. The surgery was a success, and Pep will now recover and rehabilitate in Barcelona.”
In Guardiola's absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will take charge of the first team. Lillo was previously his right-hand man from 2020-2022 and returned to the club earlier this month after Rodolfo Borrell and Enzo Maresca had left. Lillo will oversee the matches against Sheffield United and Fulham, away and home, respectively.
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The treble winners have had a flawless start to the 2023–24 season, winning their first two Premier League games against Burnley and Newcastle while adding the UEFA Super Cup to their trophy case. The defending champions will next face Sheffield United on August 27 at the Bramall Lane Stadium.