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Man City documentary reveals Guardiola’s ‘I want to quit’ moment

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Pep Guardiola’s final years at Manchester City, including his fallout with captain Kyle Walker and the impact of his divorce, have been revealed in a new Amazon Prime documentary charting the manager’s final years at the club.

The documentary shows Guardiola fighting back tears, questioning whether his time at City was over and confronting his players during a difficult period that ultimately preceded his departure after a decade in charge.

One of the most striking moments, according to GB News on Tuesday, centred on Walker’s decision to leave City for AC Milan on loan in January 2025 after telling Guardiola he wanted a fresh challenge.

Ahead of a home match against Chelsea, Guardiola expressed his disappointment over the defender’s departure and questioned Walker’s conduct as captain.

He said, “So sad, what happened with Kyle.

“It was so easy for him to come to me [and say] ‘I’m tired’. But you cannot behave as a captain the way he has done it. You cannot, in the toughest moments in our lives.

“What did you do my friends? What did you do with your captain? Tell me, what did you do?”

The documentary also captures a tense exchange between the pair after City’s defeat by Liverpool in December 2024.

Walker had lost possession to Luis Diaz before the Liverpool forward subsequently won a penalty, prompting Guardiola to criticise the defender inside the dressing room.

“Kyle has to know that if you lose the ball it’s a goal,” Guardiola furiously said.

An irritated Walker responded: “Every meeting, it’s my name.”

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Guardiola replied: “Maybe because you’re a captain.”

Walker then said: “OK. You didn’t want me to be your captain.”

The confrontation came during a difficult period for Guardiola, who had seen City lose four consecutive matches for the first time in his managerial career.

Although Guardiola had signed a contract extension in November 2024, the documentary reveals that he came close to leaving the club.

Guardiola recalls telling City “maybe it’s over”, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak described the situation as a genuine concern.

“You know the boy that cried wolf? He is the boy that cried wolf.

“I always convince him, but last year, I knew, this time he actually saw the wolf,” Al Mubarak said

Guardiola was also dealing with the breakdown of his marriage during City’s difficult 2024-25 campaign.

His long-time colleague Manel Estiarte said players became concerned about the manager’s emotional state.

“They were worried because Pep was anxious,” Estiarte said.

“He was sad. He was different. And only I knew the reason.

“And I said to the team, ‘please, you have to understand, you’re not playing with a coach who can be a bit impulsive, who can be a bit intense, who can be sometimes up and down. You’re seeing a human being. He’s getting a divorce’,” he added.

The pressure also featured in Guardiola’s dressing-room talks.

After a defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, he told his players: “I work for you and I leave my life, my divorce and my family is away and everything for all of you. And what do you give back?

“The performance you have done, all of you. It’s a disgrace guys.

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“When I see that, I am exhausted, I’m drained, I want to quit. When you play like this, I feel alone.”

The documentary also covers other departures during City’s rebuilding process, including Kevin De Bruyne’s exit after a decade at the club. Guardiola admitted the decision “kills me”.

PUNCH Online reports that Guardiola eventually stepped down after 10 years at City, having won 20 trophies during his spell, with the FA Cup and League Cup providing the final honours of his tenure.

Source: punchng.com

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PSG’s Kvaratskhelia to undergo surgery after ACL rupture – Official

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Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery in the coming days after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

PSG announced the injury update on their official X account following the Georgian international’s forced withdrawal from Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona.

“Kvaratskhelia sustained the injury before the hour mark while tracking back to challenge a Barcelona player. He was unable to put weight on his right leg and had to be helped off the pitch by medical staff,” the post read.

The diagnosis confirmed initial concerns about the severity of the knee injury, dealing a setback to the winger, who had been in strong form for the French champions.

PSG also confirmed injuries to forward Ousmane Dembélé and Brazilian defender Marquinhos.

Dembélé suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during the first half, while Marquinhos sustained an injury to his right thigh after the break.

According to the club’s medical update, both players will remain under medical care over the coming weeks as they continue their recovery.

The three injuries present a selection challenge for manager Luis Enrique ahead of PSG’s upcoming domestic and European fixtures.

Kvaratskhelia’s recovery timeline will depend on his surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, while Dembélé and Marquinhos will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team.

Source: punchng.com

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La Liga: PSG defeat will not affect El Clásico – Raphinha

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Barcelona captain Raphinha has insisted that the 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will have no impact on Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid.

In a post obtained from football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, asked after the match at the Parc des Princes whether the loss could affect the high-profile La Liga clash, the Brazilian gave a clear response: “No.”

Raphinha downplayed the result, stressing that Barcelona had competed well against the back-to-back European champions on their home ground.

He noted that the team had only dropped three points and that the focus had already shifted to preparing for Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou.

The forward also suggested a possible future reunion with PSG in the Champions League.

He said, “There are big chances of meeting PSG on our way again in UCL this season.

“Why not? They are back to back champions and we want to win the UCL, two top teams fighting for the title… there are good possibilities.”

Manager Hansi Flick supported the squad’s readiness by confirming he had deliberately rested midfielder Rodri against PSG.

He said, “Yes. He played a lot of minutes with the national team, also,” Flick said. “At the end, Rodri is fresh for Sunday.”

Barcelona now turn their full attention to the Clásico, determined to put the Paris setback behind them.

Source: punchng.com

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EPL: FRC takes over inquiries into Man City accounting irregularities- Report

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The Financial Reporting Council has confirmed it is leading inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City.

As reported by the BBC on Tuesday, in a letter to the House of Commons Business, Culture, Energy and Sport Committee, the FRC stated it took over “regulatory consideration” of the case from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on 30 September. No formal investigation has begun, but the regulator is making inquiries.

The move follows an independent commission’s finding that Manchester City were guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

The commission concluded the club artificially inflated its financial position by more than £900 million. City are appealing the verdict, describing it as containing “material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.”

The FRC has greater resources and powers than the previous body and can examine whether BDO, Manchester City’s auditors, conducted the audits in line with the rules. It can also apply sanctions to individuals, such as directors or employees who are members of professional accountancy bodies.

The independent commission found that the club gave a “misleading impression” of a scheme used to disguise the origin of shareholder funds, leaving the auditors “unaware” of it.

BDO, the UK’s fifth-biggest accounting firm and a major player in football auditing, advised more Premier League and Championship clubs than any other firm.

Liam Byrne, chair of the business select committee, highlighted gaps in the FRC’s powers.

In a post on X, he wrote: “The regulator’s letter exposes gaps in its ability to compel evidence from the club and pursue directors who fall outside its disciplinary rules.

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“This raises serious questions about the powers available to hold companies and directors to account. The government has a responsibility to explain why reforms to close these gaps were abandoned, and what will now be done to strengthen accountability.”

Source: punchng.com

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