Three first team assistants have left the club and replacements are expected to be announced “in due course”
Manchester City have officially confirmed significant exits within Pep Guardiola’s backroom team, as long-serving assistant Juanma Lillo, technical staff member Inigo Dominguez, and set-piece specialist Carlos Vicens all depart the club ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The trio’s departure marks one of the most sweeping changes to Guardiola’s inner circle since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016.
Juanma Lillo, Guardiola’s trusted right-hand man and mentor, leaves the club following the expiration of his contract. The 58-year-old Spaniard first joined City in 2020. He briefly departed to manage Al-Sadd in Qatar, only to return a year later in 2023. Inigo Dominguez, who has worked closely with the City first team for the past two years, also leaves with his contract expired.
Carlos Vicens, who first joined City in 2017 as a coach in their youth team before being promoted to the senior team, is stepping into his first senior managerial job at Portuguese side Braga.
Guardiola will have to look for replacements who can aid the needed tactical evolution at City next season after an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign.
New additions to the coaching staff will be announced “in due course”, according to the club.
