Pep's assistant | Juanma Lillo

[Tricky_Trev]

Interesting article. Lot of truth in what he says but no revelations. Anybody who watches football without their blinkers on can see this. Agree that it seems a little strange if he's on his way back - think he'd be happier watching street football in some favela.

Yeah, I don’t really disagree with most of what he’s saying. There is definitely a lot of joy in seeing players truly express themselves and have the freedom to solve the problems on the pitch in the way that they see fit. I don’t think he’s really wrong in any of that, even if positional play has brought City the most successful era in our history! But him having these opinions and then coming back to advise the elite proponent of positional play football on the planet right now… well it just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I’m sure they get on fantastically well, so maybe it’s less of a tactical advice role and more just to be Pep’s friend and guide him through the season emotionally or something, I really don’t know. It’s a weird one in my opinion.

 

[TonyM]

I'd think that Pep is always striving to create structure while not stifling creativity. I'd imagine that Pep agrees that it's hard to find that balance and that the best implementers of modern football are those that allow for genius to thrive.

Grealish for example needed to realize that Pep wasn't holding him back just because he wanted him to be disciplined and hard working. He still hasn't really mastered when to attack with freedom.

Years ago in older styles of football the creative players didn't even bother trying half the time. So they were free to attack with abandonment. It was great sometimes but overall lazy. I suspect that many coaches and players today struggle to find the precise balance within Pep's style (which is still new for many teams globally). And it's frustrating until it's mastered. Even for us.

So I'm delighted to hear that Pep's assistants also are frustrated with it sometimes.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Great to see he's heading home.

 

[JWCH-99]

Looks like lillo is returning- just left his post at the Saudi club

Edit- I’ve just read the post properly and it says he’s left for emergency personal reasons so don’t know actually

 

[Manchester33]

I don't think he will be Pep's assistant by any means. But Kolo Toure has been coaching at City and wants to learn from Pep. He's been put in a coaching role for the loan players.

 

[TonyM]

I don't think he will be Pep's assistant by any means. But Kolo Toure has been coaching at City and wants to learn from Pep. He's been put in a coaching role for the loan players.

I have a picture of him all excited ready to coach his players with his whistle and clipboard but its an empty field cos they are all gone out on loan. :-(

Ahh Kolo. Come here and get a hug ya big lovable silly man.

 

[decmancity]

I don't think he will be Pep's assistant by any means. But Kolo Toure has been coaching at City and wants to learn from Pep. He's been put in a coaching role for the loan players.

He has replaced Lescott hasn't he, Joleon is now part of the U21 England team.

 

[Manchester33]

I have a picture of him all excited ready to coach his players with his whistle and clipboard but its an empty field cos they are all gone out on loan. :-(

Ahh Kolo. Come here and get a hug ya big lovable silly man.

It's quite hard to explain his role but imagine him as a mentor for the loan players. He'll check in with them, make sure they're ok, offer advice etc. He'll also be based at CFA doing day-to-day coaching.

 

[Manchester33]

He has replaced Lescott hasn't he, Joleon is now part of the U21 England team.

Yep, Joleon taking all his knowledge of the EDS and Academy to England. He's going to be great there.

 

[paska]

I don't think he will be Pep's assistant by any means. But Kolo Toure has been coaching at City and wants to learn from Pep. He's been put in a coaching role for the loan players.

When did he start this role? Can’t find any reports about it