PEP WAS CRUEL TO ME
... I even started wondering if it was about my colour
Toure in astonishing attack on Guardiola
YAYA Toure has launched an extraordinary attack on “cruel” ex-boss Pep Guardiola and claimed he had “problems with Africans”. Former Manchester City star Toure, 35, was constantly overlooked by the title-winning manager and left last month after eight seasons at the Etihad. But in an astonishing interview, Toure said: “He [Pep] was cruel to me. I even started wondering whether it was about my colour. “I’m not the first to talk about these differences in treatment. In Barca, some also asked the question. Maybe we Africans are not always treated by some in the same way. When we realise he often has problems with Africans wherever he goes, I ask myself questions.” Last night City said they were aware of the matter but declined to comment.
YAYA TOURE has launched an astonishing attack on Pep Guardiola, questioning whether he was overlooked by Manchester City’s manager because of “my colour”.
The 35-year-old Ivorian midfielder made just one league start in 2018 as his eight-year City career ground to a halt.
In an extraordinary outburst, Toure claimed Guardiola was “jealous” of him, “stole” his farewell and joked “the day he picks a team with five Africans in it, I promise I will send him a cake!”
That was in reference to Toure’s infamous 2014 outburst over the absence of a cake from the club for his 31st birthday. But this episode looks far more serious.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach Guardiola is known for his fairness as well as his winning mentality, which has seen him claim La Liga three times, the Bundesliga three times and the Champions League twice in addition to this year’s Premier League title during a glittering managerial career.
And his all-conquering City team have been consistently multi-racial and multi-cultural.
But Toure told France Football magazine: “I want to be the one who breaks the Guardiola myth.
“I tried to understand. I even asked softly my stats to physical trainers. And when I realised that they were as good or better, both in training and match, as those who played and were younger than me, I understood that it was not a question of physics.
“And to clarify: I do not know why but I have the impression that Pep Guardiola was jealous, he took me for a rival. As if I put him a little in the shade.”
Toure believes he was treated differently to Andres Iniesta who was given a star-studded farewell at the end of his glittering Nou Camp career.
“He [Pep] was cruel to me,” said Toure, who did start the last game of the season against Brighton. “Do you really think Barcelona could have done that with Iniesta?
“I even started wondering to myself whether it was about my colour.
“I am not the first to talk about these differences in treatment. In Barca, some have also asked the question.
“Maybe we Africans are not always treated by some in the same way as others. When we realise that he often has problems with Africans wherever he goes, I ask myself questions.
“When the day comes that he picks a team featuring five Africans – and not naturalised Africans – I promise I will send him a cake!”
Toure also opened up on his troubled relationship with Guardiola, revealing he struggled with his personality.
“Pep likes to dominate and wants to have his obedient players kissing his hands,” he said. “I don’t like that kind of relationship. I respect my coach but that’s not for me.
“Like all players, I have bickered with my coaches. But at a certain point, men who do not understand each other reconcile. This is not possible with Pep, who is very rigid. The other players will never admit it publicly but some have already told me that they ended up hating him. Because he manipulates and plays a lot with your head. “He stole my farewell. He took away my chance to say goodbye to City, a club with wonderful fans. I would have liked to leave in the same way that Iniesta and [Gianluigi] Buffon did, but Pep stopped that.” Toure is considering his next move with a switch to French club Marseille the most likely option. “That’s the kind of challenge I might like because they’re putting a good project together,” he said. “Their adventure is just starting and to be involved in that kind of process is everything that I want.” Last night City said they were aware of the remarks from their former player but declined to comment on the matter. GUARDIOLA has been hit by UEFA with a one-match touchline ban for his dismissal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Liverpool, with a further match deferred for one season. Guardiola was sent off for questioning a decision at half-time.
I think Pep was jealous; he took me for a rival, as if I put him a little in the shade