Lillo returns to Manchester City as Guardiola completes backroom staff
Written by Training Ground Guru — August 16, 2023
PEP GUARDIOLA has completed his complement of assistants with the additions of the returning Juanma Lillo and Inigo Dominguez.
The Spanish duo replace Enzo Maresca, who left at the end of last season to become Head Coach of Leicester City, and Rodolfo Borrell, who became Sporting Director of Austin FC in the MLS.
Lillo was Guardiola’s assistant for two years before moving to Qatar last summer to become Head Coach of Al Sadd. Now the Spaniard has returned to the Etihad, along with his assistant Dominguez, who served alongside him at Al Sadd and now becomes first-team coach at City.
Dominguez has also been assistant at Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Marseille. The Spanish duo were on the bench for City’s opening Premier League win against Burnley last Friday and for tonight's Super Cup win over Sevilla.
Guardiola said: “Juanma is the best assistant you can have in the bad moments and you have to find people close to you in the bad moments.
"In the good moments I don't need anyone - just open the champagne to celebrate together. But in the bad moments, Juanma - beyond his knowledge of football - is a massive human being."