Axed Man City star reveals brutal Pep Guardiola message: "Wasn't nice to hear"

Pep Guardiola told Manuel Akanji to leave Manchester City in the summer transfer window or face sitting in the stands. Akanji secured a deadline-day move to Inter Milan after being bluntly told by Guardiola what his fate would be otherwise.

The Switzerland international had been a key player for City since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022. He helped Guardiola’s side win seven trophies in three years and made 40 appearances last season.

However, it was made clear to him this summer that he had dropped behind Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov in the centre-back pecking order. The 30-year-old was linked with a move to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray before eventually sealing a season-long loan to Inter which contains a £13million purchase option that could become an obligation next year.

Speaking on international duty with Switzerland, Akanji explained that it was Guardiola’s words that essentially forced him to leave. “He made it clear to us six central defenders that two would play and two would be on the bench,” he said. “And that it would be difficult for the rest. That wasn't nice to hear, because I always expect to be on the pitch.”

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Asked why Guardiola had taken a different approach with him, Akanji replied: “You'll have to ask him.” He added: “It's still difficult to realise right now that I'm suddenly no longer part of the City family, although I still feel like I am somehow.

“Also, because I didn't meet any of my new team-mates in Milan on Monday, as everything happened so quickly and there was no training. My family and I have felt very comfortable in Manchester, and we will definitely miss life there.”

Nevertheless, Akanji has landed on his feet with Inter and is hoping to impress manager Cristian Chivu, who was himself a defender during his playing days. “I'm very happy it worked out. I like Inter very much,” he said.

“The fact is: I'm on loan at Inter, so theoretically a return to Manchester is possible.” However, the reality is different and he added: “Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to say goodbye to City yet, but I definitely want to do that with a team meal, which isn’t so easy due to the schedule. But it’s important to me that I can say goodbye and start again.”

Guardiola has often spoken of his desire to work with a smaller squad, finding it difficult to keep everybody happy otherwise. Akanji was not the only experienced player he cut from the squad, with Ilkay Gundogan leaving for Galatasaray late in the transfer window.

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