Pep Guardiola could be forced to miss the start of Manchester City's pre-season as Catalan boss will have to quarantine for 14 days following Barcelona trip after picture emerged on social media
Pep Guardiola will be required to quarantine upon his return to the UK after travelling to Barcelona, casting doubt over whether he can lead the start of Manchester City’s pre-season.
A photograph of the City boss in Catalonia emerged on social media overnight which, according to UK government guidelines, means Guardiola will have to self-isolate for 14 days when he lands back in Manchester.
Even if Guardiola returned to the UK today he couldn't, under Government rules, report to City’s training complex until September 11 at the earliest.
Pep Guardiola is currently in Barcelona and could now miss the start of Man City's pre-season. This picture of the City boss with a chef from restaurant Kao Dim Sum emerged overnight
The City boss will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon his return to Manchester
The bulk of City’s first-team players are not due to return to pre-season training until the week after next due to their involvement in forthcoming international matches.
City are aware of the photo and are confident the impact of Guardiola’s self-isolation period on their pre-season will be minimal given players won’t start reporting for duty until the latter stages of the week commencing September 7.
However, the small contingent of City’s non-international players may have to start their preparations for the new season without their manager.
City stars are not due to report back for pre-season training until the week after next
Guardiola could be set for a reunion with Lionel Messi, who is desperate to leave Barcelona
Government guidelines state that anyone arriving from Spain to the UK must quarantine for 14 days.
The Premier League season starts on September 12 - but City’s first isn’t until nine days later when they face Wolves after the Premier League ruled they could start their season later due to their involvement in the latter stages of the Champions League last month.
Catalan boss Guardiola could be set for a reunion with Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who has handed in a transfer request and is angling for a free transfer move to the Etihad this summer.
City are the latest big Premier League club to have their pre-season plans affected after United confirmed Paul Pogba will miss part of their preparations, having tested positive for coronavirus and Chelsea were rocked by six positive tests and have since placed eight players in quarantine.