Deadline Day can usually be one of the most stressful days of the football calendar as managers and players try to make those last-minute moves a reality.
So it’s no wonder Pep Guardiola chose to unwind with his Manchester City players after the window slammed shut on Thursday evening.
Following the 5pm deadline, the Spaniard settled down for a bite to eat with a number of his staff and players at his Catalan-inspired restaurant Tast in the City centre.
Pep Guardiola (right), David Silva (centre) and Mikel Arteta (left) sit at the bar in Tast
As he waited at the bar along with David Silva and his No 2 Mikel Arteta, the Spanish trio were soon joined by Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho and then later, Sergio Aguero.
The group were seen having a laugh as they enjoyed their downtime together outside of work.
But it will be back to business come Saturday lunchtime when the reigning champions take on West Ham in their season-opener.
Sergio Aguero also joined the group as they dined out in Manchester’s city centre
De Bruyne and Fernandinho greet Guardiola and Co as they unwind on Thursday evening
Guardiola will have made his final preparations as he bids to get yet another title defence off to winning ways.
However, the Catalan boss will have to do it without Leroy Sane who looks set to miss up to seven months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Sane started Sunday’s Community Shield amid interest from Bayern Munich but limped off after a collision with Liverpool‘s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The 23-year-old’s injury was worse than first feared and City are set to be without the winger until towards the end of the season.
