How Pep Guardiola Managed Man City Against Sheffield United While Working Remotely

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not present at Bramall Lane on Sunday. Not physically at least.

While his team were in South Yorkshire to take on Sheffield United in the Premier League, Guardiola was in Barcelona recovering from back surgery.

But Guardiola was still in charge.

Assistant manager Juanma Lillo may have been the main man in the dugout, but Guardiola was calling the shots while working remotely.

Guardiola was in constant contact with the City bench, with most of his coaching staff wearing AirPods to listen to his instructions.

Manchester City's coaching staff, including assistant manager Juanma Lillo (left), pictured on the bench during Sunday's 2-1 win at Sheffield United

IMAGO/Focus Images/Andy Sumner

At one point during Sunday's game, 57-year-old Lillo appeared to experience some issues with his earpieces, which resulted in him removing them.

Speaking to Sky Sports via a translator after the game, Lillo revealed that he was not personally linked up to Guardiola in the 87th minute when Rodri scored a superb winning goal to earn City a 2-1 victory. 

"At that exact moment he wasn't actually in my ear," Lillo said with a smile.

"He was speaking to us a lot, but mostly with other members of staff. He was present throughout."

Guardiola will also manage City remotely against Fulham on September 2.

He is expected to be back in the office for real when City take on West Ham two weeks later.