A newly released Amazon Prime documentary provides an intimate look inside Manchester City’s challenging 2024-25 season, featuring a heated exchange between Pep Guardiola and former skipper Kyle Walker.
The film captures Guardiola expressing his disappointment to the squad over Walker’s choice to depart. The coach also raised doubts about whether the full-back had fulfilled his duties as captain during one of the toughest stretches in the club’s modern era.
Walker secured a loan move to AC Milan in January 2025 after requesting Guardiola’s approval to pursue a fresh opportunity. Before his exit, he had featured 316 times for City and claimed six Premier League titles following his £50m transfer from Tottenham in 2017.
The strained bond between Pep Guardiola and Kyle Walker
Shortly after Walker’s departure, Guardiola spoke to his players ahead of a home fixture against Chelsea. The boss admitted the situation left him deeply saddened and mentioned that Walker could have simply stated he was exhausted and desired a change.
Yet Guardiola also stressed that a captain could not act in such a manner during the hardest moments. He then questioned the rest of the group, asking what they had done regarding their leader.
The documentary does not clarify the specific actions Guardiola referenced. However, it does reveal a tense argument between the two men following City’s loss to Liverpool at Anfield in December 2024.
Walker had given the ball away to Luis Diaz, who then earned a penalty. Addressing the dressing room after the match, Guardiola noted that surrendering possession in that scenario had resulted in a goal.
Walker responded sharply, claiming his name kept coming up in every discussion. Guardiola countered that this might be due to Walker’s role as captain. The defender then told his manager that he had never asked to be captain.
Captaincy controversy and Guardiola’s emotional breakdown
Walker had been chosen by his teammates to lead City during the 2024-25 campaign. Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva were named as his deputies.
The clash occurred just before Guardiola signed a new contract with City, despite the team enduring four straight losses for the first time in his coaching career. The documentary highlights how emotionally draining that period had become for the manager.
Following the dispute with Walker, Guardiola is seen in tears while addressing his squad. He tells them that if he is the issue, they should inform him, insisting he would not stay at City merely for financial gain or personal comfort.
Guardiola explained that he extended his deal because he wanted to keep battling alongside the players rather than feel like he was deserting them. He also encouraged the captains and the entire team to voice their concerns openly, stating that such honesty would not alter the affection he held for them.
Guardiola’s divorce and the crisis at Manchester City
The documentary further reveals that Guardiola nearly walked away from City before agreeing to a contract extension in November 2024. After the four-match losing streak, he told director Kevin Macdonald that he had thought about saying his time at the club might be finished.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also admits he was uncertain whether he could convince Guardiola to remain. He compared the scenario to the tale of the boy who cried wolf, noting that while he had previously persuaded the coach to stay, this time Guardiola truly believed the situation had shifted.
The club faced numerous challenges during the disappointing 2024-25 season. The 115 charges related to alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations continued to hang over City, while Rodri suffered a severe injury after claiming the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Guardiola’s personal life was also in turmoil as he went through a divorce. His long-serving associate, Manel Estiarte, says players grew worried because Guardiola appeared anxious, downcast, and out of character.
Estiarte told the team they needed to recognize that they were not just dealing with an intense and occasionally impulsive coach but with a human being experiencing a divorce.
Manchester City’s rebuild and Kevin de Bruyne’s departure
Guardiola also discussed his divorce directly with his players during a Champions League loss to Juventus in December 2024. He spoke about the end of his marriage and used that experience to underline the importance of passion, urging his players to approach football with true dedication.
The documentary frequently shows the manager shifting between tactical analysis, heartfelt speeches, and criticism of his squad. After a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in November 2025, Guardiola told the players he was worn out by the sacrifices he had made for them and called their display a disgrace.
At other times, he cautioned that poor results could lead to a new manager taking over. He also pushed for greater emotional unity among the players, including insisting they embrace each other and him before kickoff.
As City reshaped their roster, the club brought in French winger Rayan Cherki while Kevin de Bruyne exited after a decade and 16 trophies at the Etihad. Guardiola admitted that letting the Belgian midfielder go was extremely tough, especially since De Bruyne himself was reluctant to leave.
Sporting director Hugo Viana also disclosed that there were concerns about Cherki’s temperament prior to his £30m move in June 2025. According to Viana, questions arose over whether the gifted Frenchman could be unpredictable, despite broad acknowledgment of his talent.
Cherki ultimately became one of City’s top performers last season, finishing the Premier League campaign with four goals and 12 assists in 33 appearances, the second-highest assist tally in the division.
Guardiola eventually parted ways with Manchester City at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign after a decade in charge. He ended his tenure with 20 trophies, including the FA Cup and League Cup in his final year.
When asked about what lies ahead, Guardiola admits that even he is unsure. He says returning to coaching will be challenging and that he requires time to recharge after all that transpired in his personal life.