Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future and personal struggles revealed in new documentary

A new Amazon Prime documentary has detailed Pep Guardiola’s difficult final years at Manchester City, including his doubts over staying at the club, the impact of his divorce and the emotional departure of Kevin De Bruyne.

Although Guardiola signed a new Manchester City contract in November 2024, the series shows how close he came to ending his time at Etihad Stadium during a period of professional and personal uncertainty.

In one scene, Guardiola tells director Kevin Macdonald that, after City suffered four consecutive defeats in 2024, he told the club’s hierarchy: “Maybe it’s over.”

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also admits he was not certain he could persuade the Spanish manager to continue.

“Do you know the story of the boy who cried wolf? He’s that boy,” said Al Mubarak. “I’ve always managed to convince him, but last year I realised that he had actually seen the wolf this time.”

The crisis came during a difficult season for City, which was affected by the 115 charges brought against the club for alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. The team also lost Rodri for a long period through injury after he had won the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Guardiola was also dealing with the end of his marriage. His appearance following City’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League in November 2024 prompted widespread speculation after he was seen with several scratches on his head and nose.

While Guardiola did not say that his personal problems had affected his work, long-serving member of his coaching staff Manel Estiarte described the concerns among the players.

“They were worried because Pep was tense,” said Estiarte. “He was sad, he was different, and I was the only one who knew why. I told the team: ‘Please, you have to understand that you are not playing under a manager who might be impulsive, sharp or moody at times. You are seeing a human being going through a divorce.’”

Guardiola later discussed his private life directly with his players during City’s Champions League defeat by Juventus in December 2024.

“Guys, I want to confess something to you,” he told them. “I have separated from the most beautiful woman in the world, my wife or my ex-wife. I love her beyond words, but we have lost the passion.”

He added: “Do I love her? Yes, absolutely. And does she love me? Yes. But we have lost the passion. How do you play football? You play because of something that comes from inside. Where is the passion? In your life, whatever you do, do it with passion. I do not just want good players; I want players who have passion.”

The documentary also shows Guardiola immersed in tactical detail and delivering several blunt speeches to his squad. After one defeat, he told the players: “I work for you, I put my life, including my divorce and being away from my family and everything else, to one side for all of you. And what do you give in return?”

“The performance you all gave… it is shameful, guys,” he added. “When I see that, I feel exhausted and drained, and I want to resign. When you play like that, I feel alone.”

On other occasions, Guardiola warned the players that they would “get a new manager” unless their performances improved. He also spoke about using a knife to “pierce” their hearts, demanded that players hug one another and hug him before matches, and linked poor performances to the lack of warmth in their celebrations after scoring.

Manchester City’s squad renewal also forms a central part of the series. As the club rebuilt during the winter and summer transfer windows, it moved to refresh a group that was beginning to age.

French winger Rayan Cherki was signed, while De Bruyne left Etihad Stadium after winning 16 trophies in 10 years with City. The documentary shows that the Belgium international did not want to leave and was deeply affected by the decision, at one point crying while discussing its effect on his family.

Guardiola described letting De Bruyne go as one of the hardest decisions of his career.

“It breaks my heart. That era we lived through without Kevin… forget it completely,” he said. “He was crying here, in the office. My God.”

“I have huge feelings for this player because we lived incredible moments together,” Guardiola added. “But in the end, you have to be more ruthless and rational.”

City sporting director Hugo Viana revealed that there had initially been concerns about Cherki’s behaviour before the club signed him for £30m in June 2025.

Cherki was brought in partly to fill the creative role previously occupied by De Bruyne, but Viana said: “The information we had about Cherki was not entirely positive. Everyone knew about his ability and talent, but there was a prevailing idea that he was a chaotic player.”

Cherki quickly eased those doubts, becoming one of Manchester City’s most prominent players last season. He scored four goals and provided 12 assists in 33 Premier League appearances, the second-highest assist total in the competition.