According to the search results, Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, underwent an emergency but routine surgery on his back in Barcelona on August 22, 2023, due to severe back pain that he had been suffering from for some time. After the surgery, he remained in Barcelona to recover and rehabilitate. He missed the next two Premier League games against Sheffield United and Fulham, with his assistant manager, Juanma Lillo, taking over his duties on the touchline. Guardiola returned to Manchester after his recovery in Barcelona, and his recovery schedule was on track ahead of Citys Premier League trip to West Ham on September 16. According to his assistant, Guardiola was recovering well from his back operation.