Manchester City Appoints Pep Lijnders Assistant Coach, Signs Rayan Cherki

Manchester City is undergoing significant changes in both coaching staff and player roster as Pep Guardiola prepares for the 2025-26 season and the Club World Cup. The club has officially appointed Pep Lijnders, former assistant to Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, as Guardiola's new assistant manager, alongside James French as set-piece coach, both bringing fresh tactical ideas and experience to the team. This comes after the departure of previous assistants Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens, marking a notable shift in the backroom staff aimed at revitalizing the squad. On the player front, City secured the signing of 21-year-old French midfielder Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyonnais for 36 million euros plus variables, a move personally requested by Guardiola to enhance the team's creative attack. These strategic changes are intended to reinvigorate Manchester City’s performance as they aim to reclaim domestic and European dominance. Club officials express confidence that the new coaching additions and Cherki’s arrival will be key assets in this new cycle.