Pep Guardiola Leaves Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Photo: Twitter @ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City will temporarily be left by the manager, Pep Guardiola. The man from Spain is reportedly having surgery.

Guardiola is said to be carrying out back surgery at Barcelona in the next few weeks. It forced him to rest for a while.

"Manager Manchester City has suffered severe back pain over the past few years, Pep Guardiola will fly to Barcelona to undergo emergency operations carried out by DR. Mireia Illueca," Manchester City wrote on the club's official website.

Assistant manager Juanma Lillo will temporarily replace Pep's on the sidelines. He will oversee the first team, both during training and during matches.

"In his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will oversee the first team at training and sidelines until Pep Guardiola returns," Manchester City wrote, as reported by Antara.

The Spanish manager is expected to return to deal with The Citizens after the international break in the next two weeks.

Currently, the defending Premier League champions are in second place. Manchester City collected six points from two matches, but lost the goal coefficient to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Citizens are scheduled to face Sheffield United in the Premier League next Sunday. Then will meet with Fulham on September 2.