Akanji blames Guardiola for Man City exit: 'It's still hard to accept'

In the final hours of the transfer window, Manchester City announced the surprising loan of Manuel Akanji to Inter. The centre-back had been a key figure in the 'Sky Blues' defence, but from one season to the next, Pep Guardiola decided he no longer had a place for him in the squad. This still weighs heavily on the defender, who left the Etihad Stadium far from convinced.

During a press conference with the Swiss national team, Akanji lamented his departure after three seasons: "I still find it hard to accept that I'm no longer part of the City family, although in some ways I still feel like I am. My family and I felt very comfortable in Manchester and we will certainly miss life there."

It's not that he's unhappy with his destination. "I'm very happy that everything worked out well. I really like Inter," Akanji clarified, but he made it clear that he still thinks he might wear sky blue again. His contract runs until 2027: "I'm on loan at Inter, so theoretically it's possible to return to Manchester."

But why did he have to leave? "You'll have to ask him," he responded cryptically, pointing to Guardiola, who one day stood before his defenders and warned some that they had to look for a team: "He made it clear to the six centre-backs that two would play and two would be on the bench. And that it would be difficult for the rest. I didn't like hearing that because I always expect to be on the pitch."