A revealing new Amazon Prime documentary series has pulled back the curtain on the final two seasons of Pep Guardiola’s tenure at Manchester City, capturing the intense personal and professional pressures that defined his closing years at the Etihad. Among the most striking moments is the breakdown of the relationship between the manager and his former captain, Kyle Walker, which culminated in the defender’s departure for AC Milan on loan in January 2025.
The series documents an emotional address Guardiola gave to his squad shortly after Walker requested to leave, citing a desire for a fresh challenge. Expressing his frustration, the manager told his players he was “incredibly sad” about the situation, pointedly remarking, “you cannot behave” the way Walker had. Guardiola lamented that while it would have been simple for the defender to admit he was tired, his conduct as captain during a difficult period was unacceptable. “What did you do my friends? What did you do with your captain?” he asked the group.
While the specific behavior remains ambiguous, the documentary captures a heated confrontation following a loss at Anfield in December 2024. After Walker was penalized for losing possession to Luis Diaz, Guardiola criticized him in the dressing room, stating, “Kyle has to know that if you lose the ball it’s a goal.” Walker retorted that his name was singled out in every meeting, to which Guardiola replied, “Maybe because you’re a captain.” Walker then challenged the manager directly, saying, “OK. You didn’t want me to be your captain.”
The tension occurred during a turbulent period for the club, which saw City endure four consecutive defeats—a first in Guardiola’s career—shortly before he signed a contract extension in November 2024. The documentary reveals that the manager had seriously considered walking away, telling director Kevin Macdonald, “Maybe it’s over.” City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitted he was uncertain he could convince the coach to stay, noting that while he had always succeeded in the past, he felt that this time, Guardiola had truly “seen the wolf.”
Guardiola’s personal life was also in turmoil as he navigated a divorce, a situation that drew concern from his staff and players. Long-time technical staff member Manel Estiarte explained to the squad that the manager’s uncharacteristic anxiety and sadness were the result of his personal circumstances. “You’re seeing a human being. He’s getting a divorce,” Estiarte told the players, urging them to understand that their coach was struggling beyond his typical intensity.
The documentary highlights the immense pressure Guardiola placed on his team to perform, often using candid and sometimes harsh language. Following a November 2025 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, he told his players, “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? It’s a disgrace guys.” He admitted to feeling exhausted and alone, at times warning the squad they would face a change in management if standards did not improve.
The 2024-25 campaign proved particularly difficult for the club, which ended the season without a trophy for only the second time since Guardiola arrived in July 2016. The team faced significant challenges, including the long-term injury of 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and the looming shadow of 115 charges regarding alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
In an effort to refresh an aging squad, City underwent a major rebuild during the 2024 winter and summer transfer windows. This included the signing of 22-year-old French winger Rayan Cherki for £30 million in June 2025. Despite his strong performance—registering four goals and 12 assists in 33 league matches—sporting director Hugo Viana revealed that the club had initial reservations about the player’s attitude, noting, “The information on Cherki was not so positive, I will be very honest.”
The transition also saw the departure of club legend Kevin de Bruyne, the 35-year-old playmaker who secured 16 trophies over a decade at the Etihad. These shifts were part of a broader attempt to stabilize the club as Guardiola neared the end of his tenure.
Guardiola eventually stepped down at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign, having secured 20 trophies over his 10-year stay, including both the FA Cup and League Cup in his final season. Reflecting on his future, he admitted uncertainty about his next steps, stating, “It will be difficult to come back. That’s my feeling today. I need to refresh many things that happened in my personal life.”
Before his exit, Walker had made 316 appearances for the club, winning six Premier League titles after his 2017 arrival from Tottenham for £50 million. His departure, alongside the broader squad changes, marked the end of a transformative era for Manchester City. The report also notes that with four vice-captains – Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Bernardo Silva, the England defender was made chosen by City teammates to be captain for the 2024-25 season. The report also notes that or just for the fact to stay, i won’t stay here just for the money. The report also notes that i extended the contract because I want to be here with you, I want to win a fight in that position. The report also notes that i don’t want to feel that I’m leaving and running away from you. The report also notes that i don’t want to have that feeling that now the pieces fall down. The report also notes that captains first, then the other ones, for example [feel] that there’s a problem, tell me, he adds: “But if you feel. The report also notes that guardiola’s mental state was questioned after scratches appeared on his nose and head during a draw with Feyenoord in November 2024. The report also notes that he is the boy that cried wolf,” the Emirati said.
