Spaniard travelled on Sunday to become Arteta’s successor at Man City – Will sign contract until 2021

Juan Manuel Lillo is set to become Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, according to Sport.

The position was vacant ever since Mikel Arteta decided to leave the Premier League winners to become the head coach at Arsenal at the end of last year.

According to the report, the Spaniard will be appointed as City’s assistant coach in the coming days.

Lillo had already stepped down from his position at Chinese side Qingdao Huanghai last week and travelled to Manchester on Sunday.

The report’s headline reads ‘Lillo is already with Pep’. It’s claimed the 54-year-old will sign a contract with City until 2021, the same time when Guardiola’s contract expires. His appointment only needs to be made official now.

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There have been suggestions in England that Lillo’s arrival could be seen as a hint that Guardiola will extend his stay at the club. However, the former is only signing a contract until the end of next season.

Lillo’s signing is interpreted as Guardiola’s request, mainly because of the influence he has had on the former Barcelona manager. 

‘For what Pep currently needs, which is a tactical counterpoint and another opinion on how to face certain decisions, Lillo fits well,’ a City source told Sport.

The role is not new for Lillo because he worked as Jorge Sampaoli’s assistant at Sevilla. The two parted ways when the latter decided to take the Argentina job.