The Premier League assistant managers: from Leicester to Man Utd and more

Most teams are sensible enough to have one assistant manager. Man Utd and West Ham obviously have to be awkward. Southampton’s may not exist.

LEICESTER – Chris Davies

Joined from: Celtic

In: February 2019

Previous experience: Reading, Liverpool, Swansea

How he met the manager: As captain in the Reading youth set-up at a time when Rodgers was academy director. What the manager has said: “He is a magnificent coach and someone I know will make a hugely positive contribution. He is ready and prepared for the challenge. He has worked with me previously, he is someone I know and trust” – Brendan Rodgers.

LIVERPOOL – Pep Lijnders

Joined from: NEC

In: June 2018

Previous experience: Porto, PSV

How he met the manager: Lijnders was made first-team development coach at Liverpool in summer 2015, a matter of months before Klopp was appointed manager. What the manager has said: “It is hard to undersell the role Pep played in helping us settle, educating us about football life in England and then contributing ideas to the progress and development of this team. He has such a big football brain, but it’s his willingness to learn and absorb information and always look to improve and be better as a coach that makes him stand out” – Jurgen Klopp. He really does adore him.

MANCHESTER CITY – Juanma Lillo

Joined from: Qingdao Huanghai

In: June 2020

Previous experience: He has been coaching since 1981 so yes.

How he met the manager: Guardiola had faced Lillo’s teams numerous times before instigating a meeting with the coach after Barcelona played Real Oviedo in 1998. Guardiola then trained with Lillo’s teams later in his career, finally playing under him briefly for Dorados ahead of his retirement. What the manager has said: “His