Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is looking forward to being back on the bench.

The Spaniard has been out of action in recent weeks due to a back operation, and then had to serve a one-game ban due to accumulation of yellow cards.

With his team losing to Wolves at the weekend, Guardiola had to watch the 2-1 defeat from the stands.

“I like my profession to be with the players and the smell of the grass," stated Guardiola.

“Txiki [Begiristain] and Manel [Estiarte] were so nice but I prefer to be on the touchline.

“That's why I have to control, I cannot do it again."

He added on picking up yellows: “When I was a football player at Barcelona I was the least physical player ever and maybe I was one of the most booked players at Barcelona!

“Always that was because I talk and talk and talk and talk.

“So now as a manager it's the same – when I see something and believe an injustice or don't like it, I say it.

“I have to control it, I understand – but when you see a few things you don't like I will tell you.

“So I would love to avoid yellow cards and red cards. I would like to control and try to do it but I cannot assure 100 per cent I can control it."