Manchester City have officially confirmed the departure of five senior members of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff following the legendary manager’s exit from the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Lijnders, Kolo Toure, Lorenzo Buenaventura, Manel Estiarte and Xabi Mancisidor will all leave the club as City begin a major transition behind the scenes ahead of the new season.
The departures mark the end of an era after Guardiola concluded a historic 10-year spell in Manchester that delivered multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and Champions League success.
Lijnders only arrived at City last summer as Guardiola’s assistant coach after previously building a strong reputation during his time working under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure also exits after stepping into Guardiola’s senior coaching staff ahead of the 2025/26 campaign following earlier work with the club’s Under-18 side.
Fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura leaves after spending years alongside Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, becoming one of the Spaniard’s most trusted figures.
Manel Estiarte, another long-serving member of Guardiola’s inner circle, also departs after supporting the manager across all three clubs in an operational and advisory role.
Head of goalkeeping Xabi Mancisidor will also leave the Etihad after more than a decade at the club.
The experienced coach initially joined Manchester City in 2013 under Manuel Pellegrini before remaining as a vital member of Guardiola’s setup throughout the most successful period in the club’s history.
Their exits signal a significant rebuild behind the scenes as Manchester City prepare for life after Guardiola and begin shaping a new era both on and off the pitch.
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