Guardiola’s arrival at Man City to mark Toure’s departure

The news that Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini as Manchester City manager this summer is to mark Yaya Toure’s departure from the Etihad Stadium.

The four-time African Footballer of the Year left Barcelona to join City for £25million in July 2010 as then-Barca boss Guardiola preferred Sergio Busquets in defensive midfield.

And after Monday’s announcement that Guardiola will join the blue half of Manchester, Toure’s agent, Dimitry Seluk has said that he believes his client will leave the club.

After leaving Barca, Toure was quoted as telling ONA FM in February 2014. “Whenever I asked him something, he always gave strange answers. He pretty much ignored me until City’s offer came in. 

“That’s why I eventually opted to leave. I didn’t speak to Guardiola for a year. If he had talked to me, I would have stayed at Barcelona. 

“I did not want to go and wanted to end my career at Barcelona. However, he had no faith in me.” 

And now, with Guardiola confirmed as City’s new boss, when he leaves Bayern Munich in the summer, Seluk launched a blistering rant at the Spaniard, telling SunSport: ‘I think Yaya will leave the club. But before leaving I hope he will win again the League and all the cups. 

“It’s not a question of whether Pep likes him or not. It’s life, you know. Pep can call Yaya and speak to him to let him know “I’m with you” or “I am not with you”.’

Seluk then accused the 45-year-old manager of lacking ‘balls’ to remain at Barcelona when arch-rivals Real Madrid won La Liga in 2012.

“In my opinion, everyone who has balls must stay in a team not only when they are successful but when things are difficult,” he said.

“Barcelona win because it’s like a big family and their structure is an example for everybody. So it’s not a question of persons. Luis Enrique has done the same as Guardiola. It’s not possible to say forever it’s the team of Guardiola.”

Toure has a year left on his £240,000-per-week deal at City, where he has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield. 

City take on strugglers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, with Toure’s side sitting in second place in the table, with 44 points from 23 games, three off table-toppers Leicester City.
Culled from Dailymail.co.uk