Pep Guardiola’s plans for the 2025/26 campaign have already begun to take shape.
Last season was a tough one for everyone involved with Manchester City, and in order to avoid a repeat of that during the upcoming campaign, changes have been made both on and off the field, with Guardiola’s coaching staff receiving a makeover, in addition to the new signings that have arrived.
Pepijn Lijnders was appointed as Man City’s new assistant coach, while James French has been impressing everybody at the Manchester club so far in his role as set-piece coach.
The appointment of Lijnders has been viewed as an impressive one for City ahead of the 25/26 campaign; however, it has now been revealed that the former Liverpool coach was not Guardiola’s first choice for the role.
Pep Guardiola and Carlos Vicens at the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia back in 2023.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola wanted Carlos Vicens to be his assistant coach
Juanma Lillo departed after his second stint at Man City over the summer, alongside Inigo Dominguez, and set-piece coach Carlos Vicens, who left to become the manager of Portuguese side SC Braga.
The Athletic are reporting that during a period when City were looking for answers last season, a time when some players were concerned that they were not getting enough instruction, Vicens took on more responsibility as one of Guardiola’s assistants.
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This saw him splitting his time between that role and his regular set-piece duties, which inevitably, he was caught between the two jobs, but that somehow impressed Guardiola.
The report states that as far back as January, Guardiola had intended to make Vicens his full-time assistant for the 2025/26 season, alongside another addition; however, that would not come to fruition as the 42-year-old decided to move to Portugal.
Guardiola has been impressed with Lijnders so far at Man City, but it is clear that the Dutch coach was not his first choice, and it will be interesting to see over the coming season how things work out for him and Vicens.
Pepijn Lijnders during Manchester City FC v Al Ain.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola spoke with Adam Lallana about Pepijn Lijnders
Man City fans were delighted with the appointment of Lijnders, and it was easy to see why during the FIFA Club World Cup, as the Dutch coach was often seen being very hands-on with the Manchester club’s stars.
It’s well known that Guardiola spoke with Jurgen Klopp before appointing Lijnders as his assistant coach, but The Athletic are now reporting that the legendary coach also had a conversation with former Liverpool star Adam Lallana about the Dutchman following Man City’s game against Southampton in May.
Although Lijnders was not Guardiola’s first choice for Man City, it seems a lot of thought has gone into his appointment, and only time will tell if the legendary coach has made the right decision as the Spaniard looks to take his team back to the top of the Premier League.