Yaya Touré stunned football fans by harshly criticizing Pep Guardiola during an appearance on the show Zack en Roue Libre, offering a blunt assessment of their working relationship at Barcelona and Manchester City.
The former Ivory Coast midfielder, who also played for AS Monaco and Olympiakos, described his time under Guardiola as difficult and emotionally charged.
“I don’t see a man, I see a snake,” Touré said, recounting how Guardiola tried to call him back to Barcelona after a period of limited playing time.
Touré recalled that his wife encouraged him not to trust Guardiola, arguing that he had treated her husband poorly and it was time to move to Manchester instead.
He emphasized that after struggling for game time, he ultimately shone at the 2010 World Cup before returning to Barcelona, highlighting the tension and contradictions in Guardiola’s approach.
Touré also shared personal anecdotes reflecting his family’s perspective on Guardiola. “My wife used to say about him, ‘Sheytan, he’s not a man, he’s wicked.’ She saw him as a negative person,” he explained, underlining the strain that extended beyond professional boundaries.
Despite the criticism, Touré and Guardiola worked together over several years: at Barcelona from 2008 to 2010 and later at Manchester City between 2016 and 2018.
His comments echo previous criticisms from other players, including Samuel Eto’o, who also openly challenged Guardiola’s methods and personality.
In addition to his reflections on Guardiola, Touré revealed that he nearly joined PSG, though circumstances ultimately prevented the move. His candid remarks provide rare insight into the complex dynamics between a high-profile coach and one of Africa’s most celebrated midfielders.
Touré’s statements have sparked debate across social media and football circles, with fans and pundits weighing in on the manager-player relationship and the impact of personal dynamics on careers.
