Airport dash

Pep Guardiola forgets his passport before sending chauffeur to pick it up from his house as Manchester City fly out to Iceland

Spaniard left red-faced after delaying flight to Reykjavik for final pre-season game against West Ham

PEP GUARDIOLA was left red-faced after almost derailing Manchester City’s trip to Iceland for their final pre-season game – by forgetting his passport.

The club had to send a chauffeur-driven car to retrieve their manager’s travel document after his mishap on route to the game against West Ham.

Eamonn and James Clarke
Pep Guardiola looks perplexed as to the whereabouts of his passport as Manchester City arrive at the airport

Eamonn and James Clarke
The former Barcelona boss had that sinking feeling as he realised he had forgotten the most important thing

Guardiola eventually boarded the flight, which had to be delayed by one hour on Thursday morning, as a Mercedes with blacked-out windows sped up to the airport and delivered his passport.

It was a major relief for the former Barcelona boss, who had to wait on the team bus for 30 minutes for his error to be fixed.

Manel Estiarte, one of Guardiola’s most trusted assistants, saved the day, collecting the passport from the car and dashing it to his boss.

The embarrassed manager was then able to take his seat alongside his expensively assembled squad for the trip to Iceland.

City will play West Ham in Reykjavik on Friday in their last game before opening the new campaign at Brighton on 12 August.

The friendly match, which kicks off at 3pm BST, is likely to see £43million summer signing Bernardo Silva make his City debut.

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Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola calls for help in finding his passport so City can get to Reykjavik on time

Eamonn and James Clarke
Assistant Manel Estiarte grabs Guardiola’s passport from the chauffeur-driven Mercedes

Eamonn and James Clarke
Estiarte breaks out into a run as City strive to ensure their manager is on board the flight to Iceland

England goalkeeper Joe Hart, on loan at West Ham from City, is included in the Hammers squad for the game in Reykjavik.

Argentinian right-back Pablo Zabaleta, who joined West Ham after leaving City at the end of last season, is also set to play.

Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola can afford to smile as he heads into the airport with his passport back in his possession

Eamonn and James Clarke
Now relaxed, the City boss even finds the time to high five fans at the airport

Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola and his assistants dash to join the players on the flight to Reykjavik

Eamonn and James Clarke
Guardiola lets out another smile as he realises he’s going to make the flight

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