Premier League champions Manchester City have confirmed that Juanma Lillo has rejoined Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff.
During Lillo’s previous two-year stay at the Etihad, after he joined the club in the summer of 2020 from Qingdao Huanghai, City won two Premier League titles and a League Cup, as well as securing a place in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.
He had left in June 2022 to take up a position as Head Coach at Al-Sadd Sports Club.
Lillo has managed a number of world-class talents during his career, which includes the likes of Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Yaya Toure.
“Juanma is a brilliant thinker and coach, who has a clear understanding of how the game should be played,” Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said.
“His vision is totally aligned with Pep’s. They both love this game and want their teams to produce high-quality, attacking football at all times.
“He also has great knowledge of football across the world. His experiences of different leagues and styles means he brings expertise that can supplement, not just our coaching setup, but our scouting system, too.
“I have no doubt his return will bring a fresh perspective to the way we work and give everyone at the CFA a lift.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola added: “Juanma sees things no one else in the game sees. He understands football on an incredible level, so he is the perfect person for me to work alongside.
“I have always been inspired by him – his knowledge of football, his intelligence and his humanity mark him out as a very special person in my life – and we have a shared ideology.
“He is a friend, a colleague and an inspiration. I am so, so happy he is back here at Manchester City.
“His preparation for matches is absolutely amazing. I know he will raise standards because he works so hard every single day.”