Pep Guardiola tests positive for Covid as Man City hit by 21-man outbreak

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will miss their FA Cup clash with Swindon Town on Friday night after the club were hit by a huge coronavirus outbreak.

21 members of the City first-team bubble are isolating with Guardiola and assistant Juanma Lillo among members of backroom staff to test positive.

Seven first-team players are also isolating, but their FA Cup game is still set to go ahead as planned.

A Manchester City statement read: "Pep Guardiola will miss tomorrow evening's FA Cup trip to Swindon Town after testing positive for Covid-19.

"The City manager recorded a positive test on Tuesday along with assistant Juanma Lillo. Both are now isolating, along with a number of other positive cases within the City first team bubble.

"This brings the number of those isolating for Covid related reasons amongst the group to 21. Of that number, 14 are backroom staff and seven are first-team players.

"Assistant coach Rodolfo Borrell will take charge of the team for the trip to Swindon."

After Man City's 2-1 win over Arsenal on New Year's Day, Guardiola used his post-match interview to reveal the club had been hit by coronavirus cases over the festive period.

"Just take a look at our bench, four players from the academy," he said.

"We had many cases for Covid and injuries - Phil Foden. Kyle and Rodri were first days today from Covid time. In this period today we were incredibly tired. Arsenal were better today but football happens."

Their situation has now worsened, adding to the Covid crisis hitting clubs around the country.

Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg with Arsenal on Thursday night was postponed due to an outbreak at Anfield which caused their training ground to be shut down.

Like City, both their manager and assistant - Jurgen Klopp and Pep Ljinders - have tested positive.

The Premier League has moved to announce a host of re-arranged fixture dates after a wave of recent postponements.