Manchester City twice reject claims of former player re-joining Pep Guardiola’s side | OneFootball

The suggestion that one of Manchester City’s legendary former players could return to the Etihad Stadium from next season in a new role has twice been denied by the club.

Such rumours have emerged amid a significant overhaul of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff, with Manchester City currently in the process of negotiating new contracts and relieving some coaches of their duties.

Three names in particular are due to exit the Etihad Stadium before the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, with Manchester City officials opting not to hand fresh contractual agreements to both assistant manager Juanma Lillo and technical coach Inigo Dominguez.

Elsewhere and Carlos Vicens – who held responsibility within the Manchester City staffing structure as a set-piece coach – has taken on the lead managerial position at SC Braga, despite being offered a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.

The exits of the aforementioned trio has naturally sparked rumours over who could step into the positions left behind, with some on social media pointing towards former players as possible reinforcements.

One of those names is Fernandinho, who has often spoke about the idea of one day returning to the club, and City Xtra have previously reported that the Brazilian was presented with such an opportunity earlier this year.

However, as now revealed by MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Manchester City have twice denied suggestions – most recently as last week – that their former club captain is re-joining the side as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola from next season.

Alterations in the coaching structure at the Etihad Stadium will also accompany the changes due to be made throughout Guardiola’s first-team squad, with up to four new additions being eyed before exits are assessed.

New full-backs are due to be recruited while there is a belief that a versatile ‘No.8’ and a new creative midfielder will be brought into the squad, as the club turns to AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders as a solution for the former of the two central roles.

A number of high-profile exits are also anticipated beyond Kevin De Bruyne’s confirmed departure, with Kyle Walker having no future at the club and the likes of Ederson, Stefan Ortega Moreno, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Jack Grealish all facing uncertainty.

The former is due to attract interest from Saudi Arabia, after officials from the ambitious Middle-Eastern league made an approach for the Brazilian shot-stopper last summer, ultimately falling short of City’s £50 million valuation on their long-standing number one.