Joao Cancelo reveals conversation with Pep Guardiola before Manchester City exit, admits having 'difficult personality'
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Published 22/02/2023 at 18:46 GMT
Joao Cancelo's loan exit from Manchester City was one of the January transfer window's most surprising moves, and the Portugal defender - now at Bayern Munich - has revealed the crux behind his departure was that he thought he merited more pitch time, while City boss Pep Guardiola didn't. "Any player wants to feel important, wants to play and anyone who says otherwise is lying," Cancelo said.
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Joao Cancelo has revealed the extent of his conversation with Pep Guardiola before leaving Manchester City to join Bayern Munich on loan.
In one of the January transfer window's most surprising moves, Cancelo - who almost reinvented the full-back position under Guardiola's watch - departed the Etihad Stadium for Bavaria with rumours circling that the parting of ways was none too amicable.
Cancelo, who recently said it was a "lie" that he and Guardiola had a "fight", admitted that he and Guardiola had disagreed over one central premise, which ended up being the chief reason for his exit.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Cancelo said: "As I already said, he [Guardiola] found a way to play, after the World Cup, in which he started playing with a full-back more inside, where I also played, and he liked what he saw with Rico [Lewis] and Nathan [Ake].
"But I think a player is always a bit selfish. Any player wants to feel important, wants to play and anyone who says otherwise is lying.
"A competitive player, like me, who aspires to win titles, just wants to play. It's not a question of devaluing my team-mates.
"But I thought I deserved to play and he didn't.
"So we talked, it was a conversation, not a discussion, and we decided that the best thing would be for me to leave this market.
"An opportunity I couldn't refuse. It was by mutual agreement.
"If City didn't want to, they wouldn't let me leave, because I had a contract. I'm very professional, I've always given my face for all the clubs.
"I have a difficult personality, yes, but I have never, at any time, disrespected team-mates or coaches."
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Pep Guardiola and João Cancelo
Image credit: Imago
Cancelo has made five appearances since joining the reigning Bundesliga champions, recording two assists.
It has, however, been a difficult period for Julian Nagelsmann's side, with red cards in three of their last four games, and a defeat to bogey team Borussia Monchengladbach seeing Borussia Dortmund and surprise package Union Berlin draw level at the top of the table.
Nonetheless, Bayern did defeat Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League first-leg last-16 tie, leaving them well positioned to qualify for the last eight.
Guardiola's City meanwhile face RB Leipzig on Wednesday night in their last 16 first leg, with live coverage of that game on BT Sport 1.
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