The 59-year-old has signed a four-year contract.

Assistant boss Pep Lijnders has indicated the Portugal midfielder’s time with the club is nearing an end.

City have not provided details of Guardiola’s absence, but on Thursday he spoke at a charity event in Barcelona in support of Palestinian children.

The German has the chance to add to his tally of trophies this weekend in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.