Former Qingdao Huanghai coach Lillo appointed as Guardiola's assistant

Juanma Lillo celebrates the China League One title after their final match of the season, Qingdao, China, November 2, 2020. /VCG

Spanish coach Juanma Lillo, who guided Qingdao Huanghai to the China League One title and promotion to the Chinese Super League before the coronavirus struck in March, has joined Manchester City as assistant coach to Pep Guardiola.

Huanghai announced Lillo's departure last week citing family reasons. The 54-year-old has a well-traveled coaching career, having managed Spain's Real Sociedad, Real Oviedo, Colombian giants Millonarios and Japan's Vissel Kobe. He became La Liga's youngest manager when he helped Salamanca achieve promotion to the topflight at the age of 29 in 1995.

Lillo coached Guardiola when both were at Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa. After swapping China for England, he will take up the role vacated by Mikel Arteta, who left the Premier League champions last December to take charge of his former club Arsenal.

"I am delighted to have joined Manchester City's coaching staff," Lillo told the club's official website. "My relationship with Pep goes back many years and I am thrilled to be joining him as part of this exciting team."

Manchester City have appointed Juan Manuel Lillo as Pep Guardiola's assistant manager. / City official website

"Manchester City has enjoyed much success over recent seasons and played a brand of beautiful football we have come to expect from this club and its manager," he beamed.

"We are delighted to welcome Juanma to Manchester City," the club's director of football Txiki Begiristain added. "His vast experience working across three continents and with some of the most famous names in world football will be an invaluable asset to Pep and his team."

"We look forward to him playing a vital role as we return to football."

The Premier League has been put on hold since mid-March and is set to resume on June 17. City, currently second in table and 25 points behind league leaders Liverpool, will restart their season with a crucial clash with Arsenal.

If Guardiola's side lose at home to Arteta's Gunners, Liverpool could then secure their first Premier League trophy in 30 years at arch-rivals Everton with a win on June 21.