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They Reveal the Dark Side of Guardiola at Manchester City: “He Was the One in Charge”
Although rumors of a falling out with Pep Guardiola had circulated since 2023, the Portuguese player has now clarified the situation—while also surprising many with words of praise for the Catalan manager.
João Cancelo, current defender for Al-Hilal, has opened up once again about the real reasons behind his unexpected departure from Manchester City.
"We had different opinions, but he was the boss"
In an interview with Portuguese outlet Canal 11, Cancelo dismissed the idea of a dramatic clash but acknowledged that there were clear differences between him and Guardiola during their time together in the Premier League.
“We didn’t have a fight. We just saw things differently. I have a strong personality, and so does he, but at the end of the day, he’s the one in charge,” said Cancelo, who left Manchester City first on loan to Bayern Munich, then to Barcelona, before signing with Al-Hilal.
Despite the disagreements, Cancelo expressed gratitude for having worked under Guardiola. “He’s a genius, a global reference in coaching. He changed the way I view football. I enjoyed going to training and matches, and I felt important in that squad,” he added.
The Portuguese full-back credited Guardiola with helping him grow on and off the pitch. “He made me a better person and a better player. The best moments of my career happened at Manchester City.”
A necessary farewell
Even with mutual respect, the relationship had run its course. “I didn’t want to stay at City, and they didn’t want me to continue either. There were several reasons behind my move to Al-Hilal,” explained Cancelo, admitting that it was time to find a new challenge.
The revelations come as a surprise to many who believed there had been a deeper personal rift. Instead, Cancelo paints a picture of professional differences, shaped by two strong-willed individuals working in high-pressure environments.
Now thriving in Saudi Arabia, Cancelo seems at peace with how things ended. Though no longer in Manchester, the impact of Guardiola’s methods still resonates with him: “He made me see the game differently. I’ll always be thankful for that.”
With this candid reflection, João Cancelo turns the page—acknowledging the tension, but also the legacy left by one of football’s most influential coaches.
