A new Amazon Prime documentary series has revealed the dramatic breakdown in the relationship between Pep Guardiola and former captain Kyle Walker at Manchester City.
The series follows Guardiola’s final two years at the Etihad Stadium, capturing a deeply emotional address to his squad shortly after Walker’s departure in January 2025.
Speaking before a home match against Chelsea, Guardiola told his players he was “incredibly sad” about what had happened with his captain.
“So sad, what happened with Kyle,” the Spaniard told his squad, before adding that Walker could not “behave as a captain the way he has done it.”
Walker had asked Guardiola if he could leave Manchester City for a fresh challenge, subsequently joining AC Milan on loan during the January 2025 transfer window.
The documentary also captures an argument between Guardiola and Walker following a defeat at Anfield in December 2024, during which Walker lost the ball to Luis Diaz before the winger won a penalty.
Guardiola told his dressing room “Kyle has to know that if you lose the ball it’s a goal,” prompting Walker to respond: “Every meeting, it’s my name.”
When Guardiola replied “Maybe because you’re a captain,” Walker shot back: “OK. You didn’t want me to be your captain.”
Walker had been chosen by his City teammates as captain for the 2024-25 season, with Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Bernardo Silva serving as vice-captains.
Just after the argument, Guardiola was shown in tears telling his squad: “If I’m a problem, then you have to tell me,” insisting he had extended his contract because he wanted to fight alongside his players rather than walk away.
The documentary also reveals how close Guardiola came to leaving City altogether, with the manager telling director Kevin Macdonald that after losing four consecutive games in 2024, he informed the club: “Maybe it’s over.”
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak admitted he was not certain he could persuade Guardiola to stay, saying: “I always convince him, but last year, I knew, this time he actually saw the wolf.”
Guardiola’s personal life was in significant turmoil throughout the period, as he went through a divorce while City struggled with 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules and the long-term injury of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
Long-time staff member Manel Estiarte revealed he had spoken to City players who were worried about their manager, telling them: “You’re seeing a human being. He’s getting a divorce.”
Following a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, Guardiola delivered a furious dressing room speech telling his players: “It’s a disgrace guys,” and admitting: “When you play like this, I feel alone.”
The documentary also explores the emotional departure of Kevin de Bruyne, who broke down when discussing the impact of leaving City on his family after ten hugely successful years at the club.
Guardiola said of losing De Bruyne: “It kills me,” adding that the Belgian “was crying here in the office” before describing him as a player with whom he had “lived incredible things together.”
City sporting director Hugo Viana revealed that question marks existed over new signing Rayan Cherki’s attitude before the French winger joined for £30m in June 2025, saying “there was this idea that he was chaotic.”
Cherki ultimately silenced those doubts by registering four goals and 12 assists in 33 Premier League appearances, the second highest assist tally in the division last season.
Guardiola stepped down as City manager at the end of the 2025-26 campaign after ten years at the Etihad, having won 20 trophies in total, including the FA Cup and League Cup in his final season.
