Joao Cancelo Opens Up On Relationship with Pep Guardiola

Joao Cancelo has shed light on his time at Manchester City and his complex relationship with Pep Guardiola.

The Portuguese full-back was instrumental in City’s English Premier League (EPL) triumphs in 2020-21 and 2021-22 but saw his role diminish after the 2022 Soccer World Cup. Frustrated with limited game time, Cancelo was reportedly caught listening to music during a team talk, signaling growing tensions with Guardiola.

Following this rift, the 30-year-old footballer moved to Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023, then to Barcelona for the 2023-24 season, before securing a permanent transfer to Saudi side Al-Hilal the following year.

Despite their rocky end, Cancelo recently spoke respectfully of his former manager.

“We had differences, not a clash,” he told a football news outlet earlier this week. “I have a very strong personality, and so does he, but he’s the one in charge … I thank God for having worked with him. He made me grow as a person and a player.”

While Guardiola’s City now faces challenges, including a dip in form and an early UEFA Champions League elimination, Cancelo’s words highlight the enduring impact of the top-flight coach, even on those who left under strained circumstances.

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