Xabier Mancisidor has turned down interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Bournemouth to link up with former Manchester City colleague Juanma Lillo on Mexico’s backroom staff.
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The move reunites two familiar faces from City’s all-conquering Guardiola era, both of whom have now found a new home within the Mexican national setup as the nation begins life under a new regime.
Lillo, regarded as one of the sharpest tactical thinkers in the modern game, served as Pep Guardiola’s most trusted assistant and sounding board during the Catalan’s reign at the Etihad Stadium.
The 60-year-old has now taken up a role on the coaching staff of new Mexico boss Rafael Márquez, who stepped up to succeed Javier Aguirre in the wake of El Tri’s Round of 16 exit at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
For the Spaniard, it represents something of a homecoming, given how deeply his ties to Mexican football run.
Manchester City have confirmed that three of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted backroom staff members will leave the club this summer.cityxtra.co.ukManchester City have confirmed that three of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted backroom staff members will leave the club this summer.
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It was at Dorados de Sinaloa, back in 2006, that Lillo first crossed paths with Guardiola, convincing the future City manager to see out the closing months of his playing career in Culiacán and planting the seeds of a coaching relationship that would go on to reshape the modern game.
Two decades on, and with Márquez building towards the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Lillo has returned to the country that shaped so much of his and Guardiola’s thinking.
Mancisidor follows old friend Lillo to Mexico
From a City perspective, Lillo has not made the journey alone. Mancisidor, the club’s long-serving goalkeeping coach, was a man in demand following the changing of the guard at the Etihad, with three Premier League clubs said to have explored his availability.
The vastly experienced coach held talks with Manchester United, Liverpool and Bournemouth over their respective set-ups, and could comfortably have remained in English football’s top-flight.
Manchester City are set to part ways with assistant coach Juanma Lillo as part of a shake-up of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff, according to reports.cityxtra.co.ukManchester City are set to part ways with assistant coach Juanma Lillo as part of a shake-up of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff, according to reports.
Juanma Lillo set for Manchester City exit as part of coaching staff shake-up
Instead, he opted to follow his old friend and colleague across the Atlantic, reuniting with Lillo as part of Márquez’s revamped Mexico staff.
De Bernardin steps in at the Etihad Stadium
In Mancisidor’s absence, City have moved to appoint Michele De Bernardin as his successor between the posts, with Enzo Maresca continuing to assemble his own backroom team as the post-Guardiola era takes shape at the Etihad.
The new boss has already overseen sweeping change on and off the pitch, and the reshaping of the goalkeeping department is the latest piece of that puzzle.
Former City goalkeeper Willy Caballero also serves on Maresca's backroom staff as a coach, having worked with the Italian at Chelsea.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero is reportedly set for an Etihad Stadium return this summer as part of Enzo Maresca’s backroom staff.cityxtra.co.ukFormer Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero is reportedly set for an Etihad Stadium return this summer as part of Enzo Maresca’s backroom staff.
Former Man City goalkeeper to make Etihad Stadium return in Enzo Maresca's backroom team
The twin departures are the latest in the gradual loss of the coaching group that oversaw the most successful period in Manchester City’s history.
If the club is to move forward, the job of replacing not only their players but the trusted lieutenants of the Guardiola years is an ongoing process.