Premier League champions Manchester City will have a new look to their backroom staff this summer.
Junama Lillo’s recent departure to take over as first-team coach at Qatari club Al Sadd has left City manager Pep Guardiola looking for a number two for the fourth time since he arrived in the Premier League.
Domenec Torrent, Mikel Arteta, and Lillo have all filled the role of Guardiola's right-hand man and the City boss will next turn to Enzo Maresca.
It will mark a swift return for the 42-year-old Italian, who guided City’s under-23 side to a first Premier League 2 crown in 2020/21, a feat they repeated last season.
Maresca, whose most recent coaching assignment was first-team coach of Parma in his native Italy, has first-hand knowledge working with many of City's young players, including CJ Egan-Riley, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Fin Burns, Romeo Lavia, Luke Mbete, James McAtee, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap. Most will either be loaned out or utilised to bulk up Guardiola’s first-team squad.
The departing Lillo moved to Manchester in June 2020 helping the first team win two Premier League titles and a League Cup.
“My time at Manchester City has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my career,” he told City’s website.
“To work alongside Pep, his backroom staff and this group of players has been a pleasure and I hope to have contributed in a small way to the fantastic success we have enjoyed on the pitch.
“I wish the club the very best and hope they can achieve all of their ambitions moving forwards.”
Man City season ratings
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GOALKEEPERS: Ederson 8 - Won the coveted Premier League Golden Glove award after keeping 20 clean sheets this season. In a team full of pass masters, the Brazilian can hold his own against any of his outfield teammates. AP Photo -
Zack Steffen 5 - Usually an able deputy but his mistake against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final cost City the chance of a league-and-cup double. EPA -
DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker 8 - A one-man flank down City's right. Few posses the Englishman's pace and powers of recovery. His distribution has improved this campaign too. AFP -
Ruben Dias 6 - Failed to match last season's achievements when he was named player of the season. Found himself in and out of the side. AFP -
John Stones 7 - Showed his versatility by filling in at right-back on occasion and another solid season ends with a Premier League winner's medal. Getty Images -
Nathan Ake 6 - A much-improved season though still struggling to nail down a first-team place. Always committed and gives his all. AFP -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 7 - Emotional scenes at the Etihad as the Ukrainian draped his country's flag around the Premier League trophy. Underrated player who never grumbles about filling in at left-back despite being a midfielder by trade. Getty Images -
Aymeric Laporte 8 - After playing second fiddle to Dias last season, the Spaniard has re-emerged as one of the best centre-backs in the league this term. Reuters -
Joao Cancelo 9 - The Portuguese almost seems wasted at left-back, such is his passing ability and knack for supplying teammates during his forays forward. City's player of the season, for me. AFP -
MIDFIELDERS: Ilkay Gundogan 8 - When it looked as though the title was lost on the final day, the German midfielder came off the bench to drag City over the line with two of the most important goals of his career. Another excellent campaign. AFP -
Jack Grealish 6 - Hard to say the Englishman has justified his £100 million price tag, or that he has necessarily made City a better team. AFP -
Rodri 8 - The Spanish metronome just keeps City ticking. Popped up with some crucial goals as City won a fourth Premier League title in five seasons. AFP -
Kevin de Bruyne 9 - Another standout campaign from the brilliant Belgian. Fifteen-goals - including four in one match against Wolves - and eight assists despite missing eight league games. Will undoubtedly get a statue at the Etihad alongside Aguero, Kompany and Silva when he does call it a day. Getty Images -
Bernardo Silva 8 - The one player Guardiola can give any assignment to - whether at the base, on the wing or as a False 9 - knowing he will excel in that role. Getty Images -
Fernandinho 6 - Took Guardiola by surprise when he announced he will leave the club this summer. Second fiddle to Rodri now, but what a loyal servant the Brazilian has been. Getty Images -
Phil Foden 8 - Few players have the poise and grace of Foden. One of those players that can run with ball full speed. An absolute nightmare for defenders. Getty Images -
Cole Palmer 5 - No shame in finding minutes hard to come by with City's galaxy of midfield stars ahead of him. Getty Images -
Raheem Sterling 7 - A bit of a mixed bag for the English forward. A healthy goal return of 13 in the league but has looked leggy, with perhaps tiredness a factor having helped England reach the Euro 2020 final last summer. Getty Images -
Riyad Mahrez 7 - A hint of friction with his manager at times this season and has not always been first choice. Still contributed 11 league goals to City's victorious Premier League campaign. Getty Images -
Gabriel Jesus 7 - With record-scorer Sergio Aguero departing last summer, the scene looked set for the Brazilian to establish himself as undisputed first choice. That didn't happen, but Jesus is a workhorse whom Guardiola seems to love. Half of his eight league goals came in a single match against Watford. Getty Images -
MANAGER: Pep Guardiola 8 - Kept his troops focussed even when momentum looked to have shifted Liverpool's way. Will go down as one of the greatest managers in Premier League history. AP
Guardiola was resigned to making further changes to his backroom staff when another coach to graduate from the successful City Academy, Carlos Vicens, was offered, and accepted a job as head coach at Dutch side Heracles Almelo.
However, Vicens and the Heracles performed a U-turn after they were relegated from the Eredivisie. Vicens will remain at City where he has made a name for himself specialising in designing set-plays which were extremely successful last season.
Guardiola will also still have the services of Rodolfo Borrell, who managed the side in his absence in an FA Cup tie at Swindon last season.
The new coach and players will have their first big get together when the champions return for pre-season training on July 11 before they jet out to the United States five days later where they will play Club America and Bayern Munich.
City will then face FA Cup winners Liverpool in the Community Shield on July 30. The game has been moved from Wembley to Leicester’s King Power Stadium in order to accommodate the women’s European Championship.
City have already been active in the transfer market, securing the services of forwards Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez from Dortmund and River Plate respectively.
They are also seeking a holding midfielder and a left-back. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are expected to be sold and there may be other high-profile departures as Guardiola revamps his squad.
Man City open-top bus parade
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Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riyad Mahrez and Ruben Dias celebrate with the Premier League trophy during the victory parade on Monday, May 23. Reuters -
Fans celebrate as the Manchester City team go past on the bus. Getty -
Manchester City's players on the an open-top bus parade. AFP -
Jack Grealish and Fernandinho with the Premier League trophy. AFP -
Manchester City players on the open-top bus during the Premier League trophy parade. PA -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters -
City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne waves to fans. EPA -
Manchester City's Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva celebrate with the Premier League trophy during the victory parade. Reuters -
Manchester City players on the open-top bus during the Premier League trophy parade. PA -
City players including Fernandinho, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez during the Premier League trophy parade. PA -
City's Oleksandr Zinchenko with the Premier League trophy. Reuters -
Fans celebrate as Manchester City players pass by. AP -
City's Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva celebrate with the Premier League trophy. Reuters -
Riyad Mahrez and Fernandinho with the trophy. AFP -
Manchester City players on the open-top bus during the Premier League trophy parade. PA -
City goalkeeper Ederson gives thumbs up to fans. AFP -
Left to right: Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko. AFP -
Fans line the streets of Manchester for the open-top bus parade. PA -
Fans line the streets of Manchester for the open-top bus parade. AP -
Manchester City players celebrate on the bus ahead of parade. Reuters -
The Manchester City team on the bus parade. Getty -
City midfielder Fernandinho holds up the Premier League trophy. AFP -
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho holds up the Premier League trophy. AFP -
Manchester City fans wait for the open-top bus parade to start. AFP -
Manchester City fans wait for the open-top bus parade to start. AFP. -
Manchester City fans celebrate winning the Premier League. Reuters -
Manchester City's fans wait for the open-top bus parade to start. AFP -
Manchester City fans gather during the Premier League trophy parade. PA -
Manchester City's fans wait for the open-top bus parade to start. AFP -
Manchester City's fans wait for the open-top bus parade to start. Reuters
