Juanma Lillo is a renowned Spanish football manager who is currently the assistant manager at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, find out more about him below and his tactics
With Pep Guardiola out of action until after the international break due to an ongoing back surgery, Lillo will step in, in his absence.
Who is Man City assistant manager Juanma Lillo, bio, age, career, net worth, clubs managed, tactics, style and more
Juanma Lillo at the wheel. 🥶 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/Hk2LcSbPd8
— City HQ (@City_HQs) August 26, 2023
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Pep Guardiola will miss Man City’s games against Sheffield United and Fulham after having routine back surgery.
Assistant Juanma Lillo will take the team until the international break. pic.twitter.com/CZwGP3oguG
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 22, 2023
Pep will miss at least two of Manchester City’s Premier League games, an away game against Sheffield United and one at home to Fulham.
Despite the setback, Guardiola has the services of assistant manager Juanma Lillo, trusted figure, to step in. According to renowned Spanish journalist Marti Perarnau, in his book, “Pep Guardiola: The Evolution”
Juanma Lillo has played a significant role in Guardiola’s career.”
“Johan Cruyff gave Pep his opportunity as a player and eventually promoted him to captain Barcelona, but it was Juanma Lillo who guided him through his transition from player to coach.”
Based on these words, it seems like Manchester City are in good hands despite Pep’s absence.
Juanma Lillo bio
Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lillo Díez is a Spanish football manager, who was born on 3 November 1965 in Tolosa, Spain. His father’s name is Anacleto Lillo, and he is currently 57 years old. Lillo currently works as the assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Premier League club Manchester City. Prior to that, he was in charge of Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd SC.
Juanma Lillo coaching career and previous clubs managed
Juanma Lillo began his coaching career with Salamanca, becoming the youngest coach in LaLiga history aged just 29-years-old in 1995. The following 1996/97 season, he took charge of Real Oviedo. During that season, Barca beat Oviedo 4-2, but Guardiola was so impressed with Juanma’s tactics that he sought the man after the match and formed a firm friendship.
Interestingly, Guardiola ended his decorated playing career with a short spell at Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa. This was because he could experience playing under Juanma Lillo, who was the manager at that time. After his time in Mexico, Lillo had brief stints with Tenerife and Real Zaragoza before taking charge of some clubs in Spain’s lower leagues.
He then took a two-year hiatus before coming back to Real Zaragoza and then to Almeria. However, interestingly, he lost the Almeria job following an 8-0 loss to Guardiola’s Barcelona. He then spend some time as an assistant under Jorge Sampaoli at Chile during their 2016 Copa America win. Following which he had a stint at Sevilla and then coached Atletico Nacional in Colombia.
He then led Spanish legends Andres Iniesta and David Villa at J1 League club Vissel Kobe, before moving to China. Juanma eventually joined Manchester City in 2020 as one of Guardiola’s assistants following Mikel Arteta’s departure. By this time, it was his 21st coaching role. He then joined Al Sadd in the Qatari Stars League in 2022 to eventually make a return to City.
Juanma Lillo tactics and coaching style
In the words of Guardiola about Lillo:
It would not have been possible, what we have done so far, without his influence on me. He knows exactly what I need to hear in the right moment. He sees something that I am not able to see, he has a special sense to read the game that is difficult to find worldwide.”
He further added:
He’s important to me and that is what I need.”
On the outset, Lillo’s temporary charge at Manchester City will most probably not bring any significant changes in terms of how City play generally. Just like Pep, Juanma Lillo is a strong advocate of the ‘juego de posicion’ or positional play that defines Manchester City.
Moreover, Guardiola’s preference to bring a defender up to tuck into midfield during possession is something that he came up with Lillo. In fact, Lillo himself has the credit of pioneering the modern 4-2-3-1 formation during his early years in Spain. Lillo also reportedly excels in one-on-one work with players, despite speaking limited English.
According to reports, he developed a strong bond with 21-year-old English prospect Cole Palmer in his first stint. However, after Lillo’s brief departure to Al Sadd Palmer’s progress has stagnated last season although he did score in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup this month. He now faces tough competition from new arrival Jeremy Doku.
Juanma Lillo net worth
According to various sources, Juanma Lillo has an estimated net worth of around $5 million but his salary at Manchester City isn’t known.