Guardiola compared by fans to Lasso as Man City boss debuts surprise new look

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has surprised fans by debuting a new look during his summer break.

Guardiola and his Man City squad have been enjoying time off following their extended 2024-25 season, which ended with the FIFA Club World Cup.

Man City bowed out of the competition on June 30 with a surprise 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal after extra-time.

With Man City due back for a short pre-season ahead of the new campaign, Guardiola was seen on a trip to the Monarka Clinic in Barcelona, a centre aimed at providing regenerative treatments and high-performance recovery.

Fans were surprised to see that Guardiola has ditched his typical facial hair, with the Spaniard's beard having been shaved off.

The 54-year-old was instead seen with sporting just a moustache while on the visit to the clinic.

Some Man City fans jokingly suggested the bold new look could be a promising sign for their fortunes ahead of the new season, following an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign.

'Premier League should be trembling now,' one fan said.

'You can’t not win the Premier League with that tash,' another added.

'Yeah, we are here to take back our throne. With Pep rocking new moustache look,' added a third.

Others compared Guardiola's new look to the one sported by Ted Lasso in the hit Apple TV series, a show the Man City boss has previously made a cameo appearance in.

'Pep Guardiola now has a moustache inspired by Ted Lasso as he aims to turn things around after Manchester City’s disastrous last season,' one fan claimed.

Guardiola's new look also led to fans remembering the Spaniard's admiration for a reporter's look back in 2021.

Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola had told TNT Sports reporter Fred Caldeira 'I really like your moustache, Fred. You are so attractive and sexy.'

The reporter had responded by revealing to Guardiola that he had previously had a beard that he had opted to shave off.

Guardiola's visit to the Monarka Clinic in Barcelona came a month after it was announced he had invested in the practice.

The Man City boss revealed he had previously been suffering from a chronic back problem, which was relieved after he was treated by Mireia Illueca, a neurosurgeon expert in pain and minimally invasive surgery.

Having checked in on his investment, Guardiola will by returning to take charge of the start of Man City's pre-season training on Monday.

Man City currently only have one pre-season match scheduled ahead of the new campaign, with Guardiola's side set to face Italian side Palermo on August 9.

Their Premier League season will begin on August 16 against Wolves.