Guardiola’s Emotional Final Years at Man City Revealed in New Documentary

By Dorcas Francis Koji

Pep Guardiola’s turbulent final years at Manchester City, including his strained relationship with former captain Kyle Walker, personal struggles and growing doubts over his future, have been revealed in a new Amazon Prime documentary.

The documentary offers an intimate look at Guardiola’s final period at the Etihad Stadium, capturing the Manchester City manager battling emotional pressure, questioning whether his decade-long reign at the club had reached its end and confronting his players during one of the most difficult spells of his career.

One of the most revealing episodes centres on Kyle Walker, whose departure for AC Milan on loan in January 2025 reportedly left Guardiola deeply disappointed.

Walker had told Guardiola that he wanted a new challenge, but the City boss questioned whether the defender had handled his departure appropriately, particularly given his position as captain.

“So sad, what happened with Kyle,” Guardiola said.

“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.”

Guardiola’s frustration with Walker was also evident following City’s defeat to Liverpool in December 2024.

Walker had lost possession to Luis Diaz before the Liverpool forward went on to win a penalty, prompting Guardiola to confront the defender in the dressing room.

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

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

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

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

The confrontation occurred during an unprecedented period of difficulty for Guardiola, with City suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time during his managerial career.

Although Guardiola had signed a contract extension in November 2024, the documentary reveals that he seriously considered leaving the club.

Guardiola recalled telling City officials that “maybe it’s over”, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitted that the situation had become a genuine concern.

“You know the boy that cried wolf? He is the boy who cried wolf,” Al Mubarak said.

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

The documentary also sheds light on the personal difficulties Guardiola was experiencing during City’s challenging 2024/25 campaign, including the breakdown of his marriage.

His long-time colleague Manel Estiarte revealed that members of the squad had noticed a significant change in Guardiola’s emotional state.

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

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

Estiarte said he eventually explained the situation to the players, asking them to understand that they were witnessing Guardiola not simply as a football manager, but as a person dealing with a major personal challenge.

“You’re seeing a human being. He’s getting a divorce,” Estiarte told the team.

Guardiola’s emotional struggles also surfaced in his dressing-room speeches as he attempted to motivate a team going through a difficult period.

Following a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, Guardiola reportedly expressed his frustration with the players and the sacrifices he had made for the club.

“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?” he said.

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

“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 examines Manchester City’s transition as several key figures from Guardiola’s era moved on.

Among them was Kevin De Bruyne, whose departure after a decade at the club was particularly painful for the manager.

Guardiola admitted that De Bruyne’s exit “kills me”, highlighting the emotional impact of seeing one of the central figures of his hugely successful City era leave the club.

Eventually, Guardiola’s remarkable 10-year spell at Manchester City came to an end after he had guided the club to 20 major trophies, establishing one of the most successful managerial eras in English football history.

The documentary provides a rare insight into the personal and professional pressures behind that final chapter, revealing a manager who was not only battling results and squad changes but also confronting significant challenges away from football.