Pep Guardiola to miss Man City games vs Sheffield Utd & Fulham

Pep Guardiola will miss Manchester City's next two matches, the club have confirmed.

The 52-year-old has been suffering with back pain in recent weeks and flew to Barcelona for emergency surgery. Guardiola is set to recuperate in the Catalan city and is not expected to return until after the upcoming international break. As a result, he'll miss the next two Premier League matches against Sheffield United (27 August) and Fulham (2 September).

In a statement released released on Tuesday, the club said: "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 his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will oversee coaching of the first team on the training field and will assume duties on the touchline until Pep’s return. He is expected to return after the forthcoming international break.

"Everyone at Manchester City wishes Pep a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing him back in Manchester soon."

Guardiola's first game back could come against West Ham United on West Ham United on 16 September. His temporary replacement, Lillo returned to City over the summer having previously spent two years at the Etihad under Guardiola, before leaving in 2022 to take charge of Qatari side Al Sadd.

Lillo has extensive managerial experience, and his coaching career began in the 1980s. He has previously been in charge of Spanish sides Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad, and has worked in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Japan, China and Qatar.

He'll hope to continue City's impressive start to the 2023/24 campaign, with the European champions beating Burnley and Newcastle United in the opening two matches of the new Premier League season.