Lillo, who returned to City in the summer to resume his role as assistant coach after an earlier spell at the Club between 2020 and 2022, arguably knows Pep better than most having forged a close working and personal relationship with boss over the past 25 years or so.
He managed Pep as a player when in charge of Mexican side Dorados Sinaloa, spending more than six months helping mentor and advise Guardiola.
With the boss currently recuperating after undergoing back surgery in Barcelona earlier this week, Lillo will oversee the side for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Sheffield United – though Pep will still be heavily involved in preparations.
And looking ahead to the game as well as the season beyond, Lillo pointed to how Pep’s quest and determination to constantly seek to improve epitomised what had helped establish him one of the game’s pre-eminent managers.
“We’ve been working hand in hand for many years. He’s been my player back in the day and we have a relationship which goes all the way back,” Lillo reflected.
“We understand in the same direction. He’s very open to the moment. He’s open to improving.
“When he was a player, he was the same. He was already a bit of a coach when he was a player, but he already had a true vision, a global vision of everything.
“It’s very difficult to find someone like Pep. With such capacity and willingness because it’s year after year. I don’t feel he’s lacking now.
“To observe the players you have and the capacity you have, it helps Pep to grow depending on who he has available.
“It’s something very sharp within Pep.
“He’s very intelligent not only with what but with who. In the day to day, he’s always interacting. The idea always become robust.”
Asked whether it was exciting that the boss was still seeking to find improvement despite his extraordinary record of success, Lillo added: “Indeed that’s the case.
“That helps to improve everyone who is around him. We all improve, and we try to pitch in. To be there.
“He doesn’t need a lot of input, building and generating ideas always.”
Sheffield Utd v City
You can follow all the build-up to the clash on the official Man City app with live updates starting at 12:00 (UK) on our Matchday Centre and that will continue until the game’s completion, as well as all the best post-match reaction.
Our Matchday Live programme will begin just before the teams are announced at around 13:00 (UK).
This weekend’s special guests Shaun Goater, Gareth Taylor and Keith Curle will join Natalie Pike in the studio to provide City-centric analysis before, during and after the match.
The guests will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on the show.
To get in touch send a Whatsapp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues.
On top of that, we’ll have post-match reaction from the assistant manager and the players available shortly after the final whistle.
Short highlights will be available at 17:45 (UK), with extended highlights and the full-match replay, available on CITY+ and Recast, accessible from midnight.
