Pep Guardiola set to release backroom trio at Manchester City – report

Posted Saturday, June 25, 2016 by squawka.com

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is set to release three members of the club's backroom staff as he steps up preparations for his first season in charge.

The club's long-serving masseur Paul Webster is the most notable departure and he will be followed through the exit door by the physiotherapist Craig Yiull and the team manager Paul Banks.

Changes to a club's backroom staff regularly occur when a new manager arrives at a club, and Guardiola has already secured deals for his trusted team of Carles Planchart, Domenec Torrent and fitness coach Lorenze Buenaventura.

They have all worked alongside the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager before and he is expected to make further changes behind the scenes before the season kicks off in August.

Former Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta, who like Guardiola graduated from Barcelona's decorated La Masia academy, is one of those tipped for a coaching role at the club.

Guardiola is known for his obsessive attention to detail and he will leave no stone unturned in his quest to guide the Citizens to major honours during his three-year stay at the club.

Ilkay Gundogan is the only major signing at Manchester City this summer but given how Guardiola has regenerated his squad at his previous clubs, more arrivals and departures over the next few months are a certainty.

City endured a disappointing campaign under Guardiola's predecessor Manuel Pellegrini last term, finishing fourth in the Premier League after losing ten matches in total.