Guardiola-Walker fallout revealed in new documentary
An Amazon Prime documentary reveals Pep Guardiola's emotional reaction after Kyle Walker asked to leave Manchester City for AC Milan in January 2025.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- A new Amazon Prime documentary series captures Pep Guardiola's final two years at Manchester City.
- Guardiola expressed deep sadness after captain Kyle Walker requested to leave the club for a fresh challenge.
- Walker joined AC Milan on loan in January 2025 following an argument after a defeat to Liverpool.
- The series highlights severe pressure, personal struggles, and squad rebuilding during a trophyless season.
A new documentary series from Amazon Prime following Pep Guardiola's final two years at Manchester City has shed light on the turbulent exit of former captain Kyle Walker. In an emotional sequence, the Spanish manager tells his squad that he felt incredibly sad upon learning that the English defender wanted to leave the club in pursuit of a new chapter in his career.
Walker, who initially joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for 50 million pounds, signed with AC Milan on loan in January 2025. The documentary captures an argument between the manager and his captain following a defeat at Anfield in December 2024, during which Walker lost possession to Luis Diaz before the former Liverpool winger earned a penalty.
Selected by his teammates as captain for the 2024-25 campaign alongside four vice-captains—Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva—Walker experienced a difficult final season at the Etihad. City ultimately finished the 2024-25 campaign without a single trophy, only the second time that has occurred since Guardiola's appointment in July 2016. Before his departure, Walker made 316 appearances and won six Premier League titles under Guardiola.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"If I'm a problem, then you have to tell me. I won't stay here just for the money, or just for the fact to stay."
Pep Guardiola
The series also reveals how close Guardiola came to not extending his contract in November 2024, despite suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time in his managerial career. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitted in the documentary that he was initially unsure whether he could persuade the legendary coach to remain at the club.
This behind-the-scenes documentary provides valuable context regarding the immense psychological and competitive pressures elite football clubs face. By capturing external factors such as Premier League financial investigations, long-term injuries to key players like 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, and the manager's personal challenges, the series illustrates how off-pitch turbulence can directly influence dressing room harmony and high-stakes executive decisions.
Furthermore, the documentary covers other pivotal moments, including the emotional departure of 35-year-old playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, who struggled to hold back tears discussing the impact on his family, and the arrival of 22-year-old French winger Rayan Cherki for 30 million pounds in June 2025. Guardiola eventually stepped down at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign after a decade at the Etihad, securing 20 trophies during his tenure.
Source: BBC Sport
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