Pep Guardiola was the midfielder at Camp Nou and Juan Manuel Lillo was managing Real Oviedo at that time when both met for the first time.
Although Barcelona defeated Real Oviedo in the game, the Catalans were ousted by Lillo’s midfield brilliance. Pep Guardiola requested that Lillo meet their coach following this.
Then, the career graph of former Tolosa CF manager hit rock bottom. Nevertheless, he joined the Mexican side in 2005, where he regained the lost charm. Pep Guardiola joined Lillo in Mexico to master the art and learn the trade of managing a club.
With the club failing to avoid the drop, Juan Manuel Lillo resigned from the side and Pep also parted ways. Guardiola went on to Barcelona B and the rest is history. One can refer to the appointment of Juan Manuel Lillo by Manchester City as a return to his teacher by Pep Guardiola.
The former Real Oviedo manager has many things to offer and is an excellent addition to Manchester City’s backroom staff.