Will Pep Guardiola return for Man City this weekend? Treble-winning manager set to be on sidelines for West Ham clash after surgery

Pep Guardiola is expected to be back in the Manchester City dugout this weekend as his side travel to take on West Ham.

The City boss has been absent for the last two Premier League games with assistant Juanma Lillo taking over his responsibilities.

Guardiola is back at Manchester CityGetty

And the reigning champions have coped well without Guardiola, beating both Sheffield United and Fulham with Lillo in charge. 

However, after three weeks away from the club, the 52-year-old is now set to return.

Will Pep Guardiola return for Man City this weekend?

Guardiola will return to the sidelines for Man City against West Ham.

The treble-winning boss will head back to Manchester this week and will be in the dugout at the London Stadium on Saturday after recovering from back surgery. 

He has been in his native Spain where he successfully underwent an emergency operation. 

The City manager stayed in Barcelona to rehabilitate after the procedure and the club announced that he will return after the international break. 

Man City’s statement read: “Pep Guardiola has today undergone a routine operation on a back problem.

Guardiola recovered in Spain while Lillo took his place

“The Manchester City boss has been suffering with severe back pain for some time lately, and flew out to Barcelona for emergency surgery performed by Dr Mireia Illueca.

“The surgery was a success, and Pep will now recover and rehabilitate in Barcelona.

“In his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will oversee coaching of the first team on the training field and will assume duties on the touchline until Pep’s return.

“He is expected to return after the forthcoming international break.” 

And that is still expected to be the case, with Guardiola returning to the club this week ahead of their clash with West Ham on Saturday. 

Pep’s side are top of the Premier League table and remain the only team to have won all of their games so far this season.