RIPPED TO SH
Inside story on transfer bombshell that left Guardiola plans in tatters
PEP GUARDIOLA was struggling to contain his anger as he tried to process the news he just hadn’t seen coming.
The Manchester City boss had been preparing to address the media ahead of his side’s opening Premier League game against Spurs when his director of football, Txiki Begiristain, dropped the bombshell that sent shockwaves throughout the club.
He told him Cristiano Ronaldo was coming back to Manchester, but wasn’t heading to the Etihad. He was returning to Old Trafford.
It was a crushing blow to the greatest manager in the world, who within a matter of minutes found himself fielding questions about his club’s pursuit of one of football’s iconic stars.
Six weeks of intense negotiations had been reduced to rubble and while those on the Zoom call didn’t know it at the time, Guardiola did – and the disappointment was etched all over his face.
There were still 96 hours of the summer’s transfer window remaining, but his weekend had been ruined.
Across the city, meanwhile, the celebrations and back slapping were starting at United after they had just pulled off one of the most stunning deals ever.
The fact it came at almost the eleventh hour, at the expense of their “noisy neighbours”, made it all the sweeter.
United had long harboured a dream of re-signing Ronaldo, ever since he left to join Real Madrid in a
CRISTIANO RONALDO could have easily been lining up in blue instead of red when Manchester rivals City and United clash at Old Trafford tomorrow. But in one of the most sensational transfers in Premier League history, here is the story of how the Portuguese superstar snubbed Pep Guardiola in favour of returning to United.
then world-record £80m deal in do, were not going to let Ronaldo 2009. elude them a fourth time, with one But his astonishing success in the senior club official admitting: “I Spanish capital, combined with Sir couldn’t accept him in sky blue. Ever. Alex Ferguson’s decision to retire in I’d rather cut my eyes out.” 2013, meant that three attempts to By this stage the small number of lure him back in the last seven years people involved in the Ronaldo had failed. chase on behalf of United, including So when it became clear in July Ferguson, were sworn to secrecy. that Ronaldo (inset with Solskjaer) The Red Devils decided to play wanted to leave Juventus following a their trump card in the final week of breakdown in his relationship the window and got his old mentor with president Andrea Fergie to ring Ronaldo personally. Agnelli and senior teammate When the 36-year-old superstar Leonardo answered the phone he wanted to
Bonucci, United chat, but all his footballing father
were placed on red figure said was, “Don’t join City”,
alert. before hanging up.
City’s hierarchy The coded message was brief but were ahead of the clear. United wanted him back. game, though, and Ronaldo was flattered to say the had opened talks least and spoke to senior figures at with Ronaldo’s agent United, before instructing Mendes to Jorge Mendes. strike the deal – and within 72 hours Having failed to lure he had become the highest paid star England captain Harry Kane to in the Premier League at the age the Etihad, Ronaldo felt like a more of 36. than adequate alternative. But there was a problem. United’s own powerbrokers – United wanted to announce it to including executive vice chairman the world on the opening weekend of Ed Woodward and commercial the new season, but Mendes was director Richard Arnold – sprang into uncomfortable about going behind action when the green light to hijack City’s back and insisted on the deal had been given from club contacting Begiristain personally to owners the Glazers. break the bad news, which he did. United, who have a stronger Wary of the fact City now relationship with Mendes than City knew what was happening, United brought forward their bombshell announcement and released a statement on the Friday tea-time of August 27, confirming Ronaldo had been snared.
City have since denied being interested in Ronaldo.
But it’s understood the champions had agreed a fee with Juventus – believed to be £25m – as well as personal terms with the striker.
The paperwork had been drawn up.
At least Guardiola got to find out before the rest of the world did, which might explain why he was so negative when asked about the impending arrival of Ronaldo and that the Spaniard knew it wasn’t now going to happen.
“In my personal view there are few players, Cristiano Ronaldo is included and Messi of course, who decide where they are going to play,” he said.
“Cristiano will decide where he wants to play – not Manchester City, not myself.
“There are many things that right now look far, far away.
“I know today is a tough press conference for myself.”
The rest, as they say, is history, but it will be an afternoon both Manchester clubs will never forget for very different reasons.
win over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night, said: “We needed to bounce back from previous defeats so it is going to give us confidence going into the derby.
“Growing up being a fan, I know what it means so it is going to be special to play in the derby. Definitely. We’re ready to play them whenever.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, because we know how hard it is at their stadium with their fans, but we’re feeling confident.
“They’ve had two good results recently so they will be full of confidence as well. It’s going to be a really challenging game and I’m looking forward to it.”
Foden is enjoying another stellar season for club and country and admits he is relishing being given the chance to operate in the false nine position by Guardiola.
He added: “It’s important to score goals being the striker in the team, so I’m happy to get on the scoresheet.
“It’s a new role for me. I’m enjoying scoring, it’s good for the confidence.”
GOALKEEPER Zack Steffen, 26, has signed a contract extension that will keep him at City until 2025.