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What Kyle Walker did off the pitch at Man City that really ‘disappointed’ Pep Guardiola

Srinivas Sadhanand

Tue 4 February 2025 12:45, UK

For the time being, Kyle Walker has left Manchester City on a temporary basis — joining AC Milan on loan until the end of the season where he debuted in their latest 1-1 draw against Inter Milan.

With Kyle Walker being a City legend, the nature of his sudden exit las🍌t month came as a surprise.

However, sources told TBR Football that Manchester City were ready to𒐪 offload Walker in December — who was having a torrid time in the Premier League before heading to AC Milan.

One reason Walker decඣided to leave Manchester City was because he was getting constant stick for his underwhꦇe꧑lming performances — prompting him to realise that it is high-time he departs the Etihad Stadium.

Captaining the Sky Blues for his second season in a row, the Englishman continued to be counted upon by Pep Guardiola as he started 18 games in all competitions — despite Rico Lewis emerging as a key player for City until 𝓰recently.

Kyle Walker not directly telling Pep Guardiola about Man City exit ‘disappointed’ him

Before AC Milan snapped the 34-year-old up, Real Madrid were keen on signing Walker on loan — which shows how much respect the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back has e♛arned durin💦g his illustrious career.

Walker informed Txi⛎ki Begiristain about his exit plans — as revealed by Pep Guardiola after his Cಌity side dem♍olished Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup.

The ඣ have now reported that the veteran’s decision to do so instead of direꦐctly having a conversation with Guardiola left the two-time treble-winner “disappointed.”

Pep Guardiola felt that him and Walker, considered “💎very complete” by Destiny Udogie had built up a relationship that wa꧃s strong enough for Wal൩ker to openly tell him that he was eyeing a move abroad.

The Sheffield-born defender has worked alongside the Catalan tactician since 2017 — winning 15 major honours. Yet, Walker, who has been lauded by Shay Given decided not to confidℱe in Guardiola, which comes as a cer🍃tain shock.

Kyle Walker admitted Man City exit talk was an uncomfortable conversation with Pep Guardiola

Upon signing for AC Milan on loan, Wꦍalker admitted that when he told Pep Guardiola that he had decided to leave 𝄹Manchester City, it was a difficult conversation.

The Englishman said via HaytersTV: “When I sp𝔉oke with Pep, i🔯t wasn’t a very comfortable conversation, we’ll say because of the respect we have for each other.”

“From what we’ve achieved both at Manchester City, everything that he’s won at Manchester City, I’ve also won and I’d like💃 to think he knows what I bring to the dressing room and the atmosphere I create.”

“I’m here to🔯 obviously play football, I’m here to work with my teammates but at Manchester City, it was my family, from the cooks to the cleaner to the kitmen to the physios, I would like to think that I was🅷 liked a lot and I made sure that everyone was blended in together.”

As Walker has departed Manchester City now, Pep Guardiola will be hoping that versatile players such as Manuel Akanji, ✃Abdukodir Khusan🃏ov, John Stones and Matheus Nunes can make his absence at right-back not be felt whatsoever.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
5	Man CityManchester City	24	12	5	7	48	35	13	41