Manchester City Confirm Last-Minute Pep Guardiola Replacement For Crystal Palace Press Conference
Manchester City have officially announced that Pep Guardiola will not attend Friday’s pre-Crystal Palace press conference, marking a rare last-minute change in the club’s media schedule. The unexpected update has generated interest among City fans, especially given the ongoing discussions surrounding Guardiola’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League champions had planned for a routine media session ahead of Sunday’s clash at Selhurst Park, but Guardiola’s sudden unavailability, due to a personal matter, prompted a reshuffle within the coaching staff. Despite missing press duties, the Catalan manager will still lead the team on matchday as usual.
This development also comes during a transitional period behind the scenes at Manchester City. Pepijn Lijnders has recently settled into the coaching setup after joining from Liverpool in the summer, while former City defender Kolo Toure earned a promotion into the first-team coaching group earlier this season. These adjustments form part of City’s long-term strategy to strengthen Guardiola’s support structure and ensure continuity.
According to Manchester Evening News journalist Simon Bajkowski, Guardiola’s absence is not linked to any squad issues and remains purely personal. In his place, assistant coach Kolo Toure will lead the press conference — his first official media appearance since taking on an expanded coaching role. MailSport’s Jack Gaughan also reports that assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders was unavailable due to a scheduled day off.
Toure’s presence is expected to be well-received by supporters. The former defender is highly respected within the club, and his increased visibility aligns with Manchester City’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders within the coaching staff.
Overall, this brief change is not expected to disrupt preparations for the Crystal Palace match. With multiple experienced coaches now embedded within the first-team environment, Manchester City remain well-equipped to handle media duties and internal responsibilities whenever unexpected absences arise.
FAQs
Why is Pep Guardiola missing the press conference?
Pep Guardiola is unavailable due to a personal matter but will still manage the team for Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace.
Who will replace Guardiola for the media duties?
Kolo Toure, Manchester City’s assistant coach, will handle the pre-match press conference.
Is this expected to affect Manchester City’s match preparations?
No. The club has confirmed that preparations remain on track and unaffected by the brief change in media responsibility.
Is Pepijn Lijnders also absent?
Yes. He is unavailable due to a planned day off, leaving Kolo Toure as the main speaker for the conference.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s last-minute press-conference reshuffle highlights the importance of having a strong, adaptable coaching structure. With Kolo Toure stepping up seamlessly, the club demonstrates its depth, stability, and long-term planning. Guardiola’s brief absence is not expected to influence match preparations, and City remain fully focused on securing a crucial Premier League win against Crystal Palace.
