Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will miss his side’s next two games after undergoing back surgery, the club announced on Tuesday. Guardiola “had been suffering from severe back pain for some time and traveled to Barcelona for surgery,” the club said in a statement, adding that the operation “was a success”.

The 52-year-old Spaniard, who will remain at Barcelona while he recovers, is expected to miss City’s next two Premier League fixtures, at Sheffield United on Sunday and against Fulham on September 2. He will be replaced by his assistant Juanma Lillo. Guardiola could thus return after the next international break, for the trip of the reigning English champions to West Ham on September 16.