Guardiola fury at Sancho’s exit

PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed that Jadon Sancho reneged on a lucrative new contract at Manchester City.

Sancho, who was player of the tournament at the summer’s Under 17 European Championship, is said to have agreed a £30,000-a-week deal at City, only to go on strike before eventually signing for Borussia Dortmund for £8million.

A visibly irritated Guardiola suggested the winger was poorly advised, adding: ‘We arrived at an agreement with Sancho, we shook hands. Before we went to the States on tour, he decided, or the agent decided, “I am not going to sign the contract”.

‘We said, “OK, you are not going to travel to the States”. After that he didn’t appear in the training sessions. He should come but he didn’t.’

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona were all interested in Sancho, who was not fined by City despite his disappearance. ‘The family — and especially his manager — have to know we had a lot of confidence in him,’ added Guardiola. ‘He wanted to play in the first team. I said, “OK you are going to train with us. If you win you are going to play.” Duel with Kyle Walker, with Benjamin Mendy, with Vincent Kompany — we will see your level.

‘I cannot assure them, even the best players like Sergio Aguero, that they are going to play. I would be a liar, it’s not true.’