Man City documentary reveals Guardiola’s ‘I want to quit’ moment

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Pep Guardiola’s final years at Manchester City, including his fallout with captain Kyle Walker and the impact of his divorce, have been revealed in a new Amazon Prime documentary charting the manager’s final years at the club.

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The documentary shows Guardiola fighting back tears, questioning whether his time at City was over and confronting his players during a difficult period that ultimately preceded his departure after a decade in charge.

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One of the most striking moments, according to GB News on Tuesday, centred on Walker’s decision to leave City for AC Milan on loan in January 2025 after telling Guardiola he wanted a fresh challenge.

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Ahead of a home match against Chelsea, Guardiola expressed his disappointment over the defender’s departure and questioned Walker’s conduct as captain.

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He said, “So sad, what happened with Kyle.

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“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.

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“What did you do my friends? What did you do with your captain? Tell me, what did you do?”

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The documentary also captures a tense exchange between the pair after City’s defeat by Liverpool in December 2024.

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Walker had lost possession to Luis Diaz before the Liverpool forward subsequently won a penalty, prompting Guardiola to criticise the defender inside the dressing room.

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

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

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

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

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The confrontation came during a difficult period for Guardiola, who had seen City lose four consecutive matches for the first time in his managerial career.

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Although Guardiola had signed a contract extension in November 2024, the documentary reveals that he came close to leaving the club.

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Guardiola recalls telling City “maybe it’s over”, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak described the situation as a genuine concern.

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“You know the boy that cried wolf? He is the boy that cried wolf.

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

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Guardiola was also dealing with the breakdown of his marriage during City’s difficult 2024-25 campaign.

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His long-time colleague Manel Estiarte said players became concerned about the manager’s emotional state.

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

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

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“And I said to the team, ‘please, you have to understand, you’re not playing with a coach who can be a bit impulsive, who can be a bit intense, who can be sometimes up and down. You’re seeing a human being. He’s getting a divorce’,” he added.

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The pressure also featured in Guardiola’s dressing-room talks.

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After a defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, 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?

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

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“When I see that, I am exhausted, I’m drained, I want to quit. When you play like this, I feel alone.”

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The documentary also covers other departures during City’s rebuilding process, including Kevin De Bruyne’s exit after a decade at the club. Guardiola admitted the decision “kills me”.

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PUNCH Online reports that Guardiola eventually stepped down after 10 years at City, having won 20 trophies during his spell, with the FA Cup and League Cup providing the final honours of his tenure.

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