Pep Guardiola has endured a difficult season, but his hopes of returning Manchester City to their previous dominance have suffered a blow with one of his key allies set to depart
Pep Guardiola is set to lose a key member of his staff this summer, dealing a fresh blow to the Manchester City boss. Guardiola has endured a difficult season, with City delivering a catastrophic defence of their title.
They have ended up without a major trophy, finishing well behind Premier League champions Liverpool, being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the Last 16, being dumped out of the Champions League in the playoff round by Real Madrid and losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.
It has already been confirmed that club legend Kevin De Bruyne will depart on a free transfer this summer. While £100million man Jack Grealish is also likely to be on his way having fallen out of favour.
A huge summer is approaching for City as they look to return to their previous success. But while Guardiola will have been hoping to be focused on signing new players, he has also been handed another major task.
That task will be to find a new assistant coach, with Carlos Vicens on the verge of leaving the Etihad Stadium. Vicens is one of two assistant managers, alongside Juanma Lillo, but he is now set to leave after being offered his first job as a top-flight manager.
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According to Record, Vicens is set to be appointed as the next head coach of Braga in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. It is said Braga’s board have decided to pursue Vicens, with confirmation of his move to Estádio Municipal de Braga expected next week.
Vicens is set to sign a three-year deal with Os Arcebispos, who finished fourth in Portugal’s top-flight this season. Club president António Salvador has set out a long-term ambition to fight for the title, which Braga have never won.
Guardiola’s closest confidant is said to ‘fit the profile’ desired by Braga chiefs. He is seen as an ambitious coach, having worked his way up through City’s youth ranks to become Guardiola’s No.2 in 2021.
Vicens first worked as an assistant for City’s Under-18s before taking over as head coach of that side in 2020. After a year in that role, he was promoted by Guardiola into his first-team staff.
The 42-year-old will now replace former Swansea City boss Carlos Carvalhal at Braga. Carvalhal’s exit was announced following their final game last week as part of a mutual agreement.
Carvalhal had been the most successful manager in the club’s history, leading them to winning the Taca de Portugal in 2021. When confirming his exit president Salvador revealed the club were keen to embark on a ‘new cycle’
“I would like to thank Carlos Carvalhal and his technical team for the work they have done, their dedication to the project and the great collaboration we have maintained throughout the season,” he said.
“Our understanding that we need to start a new cycle, with new technical leadership, in no way conflicts with the enormous appreciation we have for Carlos Carvalhal and the merit of the work he has done for the club is undeniable and will endure.”
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