MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola’s No. 2 at Manchester City has left to become coach at Qatari club Al-Sadd.
Juanma Lillo joined City in June 2020, reuniting the Spaniard with Guardiola after the pair’s time together at Dorados in Mexico in 2005-06 — when Guardiola was a player and Lillo was a coach.
City won the English Premier League in both of the seasons Lillo worked with Guardiola.
“My time at Manchester City has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my career,” Lillo said.
“To work alongside Pep, his backroom staff and this group of players has been a pleasure and I hope to have contributed in a small way to the fantastic success we have enjoyed on the pitch.”
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, said Lillo’s “dedication, passion and desire to improve our squad have been evident from our results on the pitch throughout his time at the club.”
Lillo was at Chinese club Qingdao Huanghai before moving to City.
Guardiola’s No. 2 at Man City leaves to work in Qatar
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Guardiola’s No. 2 at Man City leaves to work in Qatar
- Juanma Lillo joined Manchester City in June 2020
- “My time at Manchester City has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my career," Lillo said
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
