Guardiola loses second assistant in a fortnight after Borrell exit
Borrell joined City in March 2014 as Global Technical Director
Written by Training Ground Guru — June 30, 2023
PEP GUARDIOLA’S assistant, Rodolfo Borrell, has left Manchester City after nine years to become Sporting Director at Austin FC in the MLS.
The Spaniard has been a key figure at City since joining from Liverpool in March 2014. He was initially Global Technical Director, before becoming Academy Head of Coaching and then Guardiola’s assistant two years later.
City have won 14 major trophies during his seven seasons with the first team. Borrell even took charge of the side for their 4-1 FA Cup third round victory over Swindon Town in January 2022 after Guardiola and Juanma Lillo had both tested positive for Covid-19.
Guardiola has now lost two assistants in a fortnight, with Enzo Maresca having also departed to become Head Coach of Leicester City.
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: “I would like to wish Rodolfo the best of luck in his new role at Austin FC. He has played a significant role in the Club’s achievements over the past nine years, both as Global Technical Director and after joining Pep Guardiola's backroom team.
“The manager has often spoken about how important his coaching staff have been in helping him and the team achieve what we have. Rodolfo has, of course, been a major part of that during his time at Manchester City.
“I have every confidence that he will be a huge asset to both Austin FC and United States soccer.”
Borrell was Lionel Messi’s first coach at Barcelona and helped the development of Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta during his time at the Camp Nou from 1995 to 2008. He was then Technical Director and Head of Coaching for Liverpool’s Academy after Rafa Benitez brought him to England in 2009.
While on Merseyside, he helped bring through players like Raheem Sterling, Jon Flanagan and Jordan Ibe.
