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.
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.
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.