Pep Guardiola is set to miss the next two Manchester City games after a "routine operation" to correct a persistent back injury.
City said their treble-winning manager had been suffering from "severe back pain for some time" and he flew out for surgery in Barcelona where he will remain to begin his recovery.
The Spaniard, who will remain in Barcelona while he recovers from the operation, is expected to miss City's matches at Sheffield United this Sunday and Fulham on September 2 at the Etihad Stadium, with assistant manager Juanma Lillo taking charge in his absence.
The club season then takes a two-week break for international matches before City return to Premier League action against West Ham United on September 16 – when Guardiola is expected to return – with the Champions League group stage kicking off the following week.
"Pep Guardiola has today undergone a routine operation on a back problem," said the club in a statement.
"The Manchester City boss has been suffering with severe back pain for some time, and flew out to Barcelona for emergency surgery performed by Dr Mireia Illueca. The surgery was a success, and Pep will now recover and rehabilitate in Barcelona.
"In his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will oversee coaching of the first team on the training field and will assume duties on the touchline until Pep's return.
"He is expected to return after the forthcoming international break. Everyone at Manchester City wishes Pep a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing him back in Manchester soon."
Lillo, 57, is in his second stint as Guardiola's assistant at City, having held the position from 2020-22 after joining from Qingdao Huanghai in China following Mikel Arteta's exit to become manager of Arsenal.
Man City 1 Newcastle 0: Player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Ederson - 6. Another quiet game in goal for Ederson, who had to make just the one save for the second consecutive game. Getty -
Kyle Walker - 7. Lost his balance when he was played in behind the Newcastle backline by Grealish in the first half. Yet his clever positioning caused problems for Burn in the first half. Getty -
Ruben Dias - 7. On for his first game of the season, Dias wasn’t ruffled by Newcastle’s tricky attackers. He made a well-timed challenge to stop Gordon’s run into the home side’s penalty area. Getty -
Josko Gvardiol - 8. Excellent work to force Wilson wide when the striker pounced on an erratic pass from Rodri in the 68th minute. Looked very assured alongside Dias at the heart of the Manchester City defence. AFP -
Manuel Akanji - 7. Hit an effort high and wide when he tried to test Pope from range in the first half. Did well to cut out Gordon’s dangerous cross in the 17th minute. Getty -
Mateo Kovacic - 6. An effective performance from the Croatian in the City midfield. Kept things simple. Getty -
Rodri - 7. Solid at the base of City’s midfield, although his erratic backpass almost gave the away side a chance to draw level in the 68th minute. Getty -
Jack Grealish - 5. An unproductive performance against Trippier on the left side of City's attack. The winger repeatedly saw his efforts blocked by his England teammate, and he had to make-do with winning cheap fouls. Getty -
Phil Foden - 9. Playing in the Kevin De Bruyne role, Foden was at the heart of everything positive Pep Guardiola’s side did in the final third. Deservedly grabbed the assist for the winning goal. Getty -
Julian Alvarez - 8. Was having a quiet game until he popped up to score the winner with a well-struck effort into the top corner. Combined well with Haaland and Foden in attack. Getty -
Erling Haaland - 5. A rare frustrating night for the usually prolific Norwegian. Failed to sort out his feet when Foden set him up with a brilliant pass in the 12th minute. Got very close to making it two in the 41st minute, but his effort trickled just wide of the far post. Getty -
NEWCASTLE PLAYER RATINGS: Nick Pope - 6. Got a hand to Alvarez’s opener, but it wasn’t enough to stop the effort from flying into the net. Made a good save with a leg to deny Haaland in the 65th minute. Getty -
Kieran Trippier - 7. Brilliant block to stop Grealish from testing Pope early in the game. Played several dangerous crosses from which his teammates failed to take advantage. PA -
Sven Botman - 6. Made a good interception to stop Haaland from running through on goal in the 13th minute. Provided a good block to deflect Haaland’s shot away from goal in the second half. AFP -
Fabian Schar - 7 Combined well with Botman to deal with the threat of Haaland. Tremendous last-ditch interception to stop Haaland from testing Pope on the hour mark. Reuters -
Dan Burn - 5. A testing game for the tall Englishman as he struggled to deal with the threat of Foden and Walker on the right side of the Citizen’s attack. Getty -
Joelinton - 6. Another typical Joelinton performance that involved a lot of hard work, but the Brazilian had very little impact in the final third. Forced off with an injury early in the second half. Getty -
Sandro Tonali - 5. A below-par performance from Tonali at the base of Newcastle’s midfield. The new signing from AC Milan struggled with the home side’s high press. Getty -
Bruno Guimaraes - 5. Slightly overhit a pass when he tried to play Tonali behind City's backline. Completely fluffed his lines when he had a chance to test Ederson in the 65th minute. Getty -
Anthony Gordon - 6. Teased the City backline with a sweeping low cross that had to be deflected wide by Akanji in the 17th minute. Failed to bring the ball under his control when Trippier’s cross found him at the back post on the stroke of half-time. Getty -
Miguel Almiron - 4. A frustrating performance from the Paraguayan whose final pass left a lot to be desired on the day. Clever dummy to set up Joelinton with a chance in the 20th minute. EPA -
Alexander Isak - 6. Cut an isolated figure up top for most of his match due to a lack of support from his teammates. Tried to drop deep to facilitate play but was mostly crowded out by City defenders. Reuters -
SUBS: Harvey Barnes (Gordon, 55) - 6. Came on and added something different to Newcastle's largely subdued attack. Had the away side’s first shot on target with a weak effort in the 69th minute. Getty -
Sean Longstaff (Joelinton, 55) - 5. Brought on in place of the injured Joelinton, the Englishman struggled to get going. Failed to make an impact in the final third. EPA -
Callum Wilson (Isak, 66) - 5. Failed to beat Gvardiol when he had the chance to run through on goal in the 68th minute. Getty -
Elliot Anderson. (Tonali, 66) - 6. Overhit a cross when he had the chance to pick out a black and white shirt in the penalty area. Tracked back well to deflect a Foden effort wide in the 88th minute. Getty -
Tino Livramento (Almiron, 86) - N/A. Came on too late to make an impact. Getty
He left in June 2022 to take up a position as coach at Al Sadd in Qatar and had previously been a mentor to Guardiola as a player during their time together at Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa in 2006.
But Lillo returned to his old role at the Etihad this summer, much to the delight of Guardiola. “Juanma sees things no one else in the game sees," he told the club's website earlier this month.
"He understands football on an incredible level, so he is the perfect person for me to work alongside. I have always been inspired by him – his knowledge of football, his intelligence and his humanity mark him out as a very special person in my life – and we have a shared ideology.
“He is a friend, a colleague and an inspiration. I am so, so happy he is back here at Manchester City. His preparation for matches is absolutely amazing. I know he will raise standards because he works so hard every single day."
City have started the new season with three wins out of three games after beating Burnley 3-0 and Newcastle United 1-0 in the Premier League, while also defeating Sevilla via a penalty shoot-out to lift the Uefa Super Cup.
