Guardiola begins a bold purge as three key assistants exit—Man City’s coaching future now hangs in the balance

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has initiated a bold reshuffle within his coaching ranks, with three of his trusted lieutenants set to depart the Etihad at the end of the season. This dramatic shift comes in the wake of City finishing third in the Premier League — the first time under Pep that they’ve dropped outside the top two since his debut campaign in 2016.

The departure of assistants Juanma Lillo, Carlos Vicens, and Inigo Dominguez marks a significant transition in Guardiola’s backroom setup. Each has played a key role in City’s recent dominance, yet Guardiola has signaled the need for “new voices and ideas” to reinvigorate both his own methods and the squad’s approach heading into a crucial new chapter.

Juanma Lillo, perhaps the most high-profile among the trio, has long been more than just an assistant to Guardiola. Their relationship stretches back to 2006, when a young Guardiola ended his playing career under Lillo at Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico. Since then, Lillo has served as both mentor and collaborator, shaping some of the tactical philosophies that Guardiola holds dear.

Lillo had two spells at Manchester City — first between 2020 and 2022, then returning in 2023. However, his contract is not being renewed, confirming his second and final exit from the club. Sources close to the situation suggest that Guardiola’s decision wasn’t based on performance but rather a need for change as he enters his tenth season in charge.

Inigo Dominguez, a technical coach highly valued for his data-driven analysis and tactical breakdowns, will also depart. Like Lillo, his contract is up and will not be extended. While not as publicly prominent, Dominguez played a crucial role behind the scenes — particularly during City’s treble-winning 2022–23 season.

The third and perhaps most intriguing exit is Carlos Vicens, City’s set-piece coach and one of Guardiola’s more innovative appointments in recent years. Vicens will leave to take up a managerial role at Portuguese side Braga, replacing Carlos Carvalhal. His departure represents another reminder of Guardiola’s influence on the next generation of coaches.

Guardiola has always been a magnet for coaching talent. Mikel Arteta, now hailed for transforming Arsenal, served as Pep’s assistant from 2016 to 2019 before returning to the Emirates. Enzo Maresca, freshly appointed Chelsea manager, was also part of City’s inner circle before leading Leicester to Championship glory.

This pattern of assistants learning under Guardiola before branching off is nothing new. Domenec Torrent and Rodolfo Borrell, two of Pep’s closest allies from his Barcelona and Bayern days, also left their posts — Torrent in 2018 and Borrell as recently as 2023.

However, what sets this moment apart is the sheer volume of exits at once. Three key assistants leaving simultaneously places enormous pressure on Guardiola to rebuild his coaching setup — not only in terms of tactical nous but also personal chemistry and trust.

Man City’s unique advantage lies in the City Football Group’s expansive network of clubs across the globe. From Girona and Troyes to Melbourne City and New York City FC, the infrastructure allows for a seamless scouting of coaching talent that fits the “City DNA”. But even with that advantage, Guardiola will need to be meticulous in selecting replacements who align with his high standards and vision.

Finding a new set-piece specialist to replace Vicens is a priority. Set-pieces have become a crucial part of elite-level football, and City has benefitted massively from tailored routines in recent seasons. Guardiola is expected to look for someone not just with technical proficiency, but the creative mindset to elevate City’s set-piece strategy further.

Equally important will be the selection of a new right-hand man — someone who can challenge Guardiola intellectually, as Lillo once did. Guardiola has always thrived on friction and debate within his coaching team. He sees value in assistants who push back, refine ideas, and demand tactical evolution.

The timing of this shakeup is also notable. With the Premier League growing ever more competitive and rivals like Arsenal, Liverpool, and now Chelsea showing signs of resurgence, Guardiola knows City must stay ahead of the curve — not just in player recruitment but in coaching strategy as well.

City’s third-place finish this season, while still strong by most standards, is seen internally as a disappointment. After four straight league titles, the drop in consistency has prompted soul-searching at the club. Guardiola’s answer appears to be not just reloading the squad, but rebooting the bench.

The ripple effects of this coaching exodus may extend to the players as well. Key figures like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and John Stones — all of whom have been mentioned in recent transfer rumors — could be affected by the change in tactical and training philosophies.

Guardiola’s ability to refresh his ideas has always been one of his strengths. Unlike managers who grow rigid over time, Pep continually reinvents. But this summer’s purge is perhaps his boldest move yet — a calculated risk aimed at long-term sustainability.

While speculation will swirl over who joins the new-look coaching staff, one thing is clear: the Guardiola era at Manchester City is far from over. In fact, this transition may mark the beginning of his next evolution — a more ruthless, forward-thinking version, honed by nearly a decade at the top.

Still, with uncertainty comes risk. Chemistry can’t be bought, and continuity, once broken, is difficult to restore. Guardiola must now strike the perfect balance between innovation and familiarity if he hopes to extend City’s reign in England and Europe.

As fans wait to see who takes the vacant seats on the Etihad bench, one can only wonder what version of Manchester City will emerge next season. What is certain, though, is that Pep Guardiola is not afraid to tear down and rebuild — even when the foundations are as successful as any in football history.