Pep Guardiola was left frustrated after Kyle Walker went to Manchester City’s hierarchy to push for a January exit from the club.
The England defender joined AC Milan during the transfer window, after almost eight years at the Etihad Stadium playing under Guardiola. The Catalan coach is said to have been disappointed that Walker chose to speak to Txiki Begiristain, over directly approaching him.
It is reported that Guardiola felt that his relationship was close enough with Walker, where he thought he would be open with him. The former Bayern Munich boss believed the ex-Spurs star would come to him first in such a situation, claimed The Athletic.
The 34-year-old revealed that when he did engage Guardiola, it wasn’t a comfortable conversation. Opening up on his exit from Manchester City admitted his attachment to the club.
“When I spoke with Pep, it wasn’t a very comfortable conversation – mainly because of the respect we have for each other.
“What he’s won at Manchester City, I’ve won it too. I like to think he knows what I bring to a dressing room, the atmosphere I create. City was my family – from the cooks to the cleaners, the kit men and physios. I like to think I was liked and helped everyone blend in.
“But things weren’t going well there and I wasn’t playing enough football. Hopefully I can play a bit more here.”
While Walker has only joined the club on loan, the San Siro side are said to have an option to buy the veteran for less than £5million. For his part, the 34-year-old appeared to suggest his time in Manchester was at an end however.
The defender is ready to take on a leadership role in Italy. Walker joins a dressing room with the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham, and hopes his experience can pay dividends.
“It’s what I have to do,” he said. “With my age and my experience, I can pass this message to the younger ones, but I can’t do it alone.
“There are also other leaders, but maybe there’s a lack of confidence. Consistency in results is needed. The coach changed, but I believe Conceição has good ideas, solid foundations to build the team.
“Sometimes, discipline is needed, that fire inside that must be transmitted to others and that has perhaps been lacking lately. I hope Rubs (Loftus-Cheek), Fik (Tomori), and Tammy (Abraham) can have confidence in me. I hope my teammates can follow me on the field. I’ve won a lot in my career, but I come here hoping to win many more trophies with Milan.”
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