Man City: Pep Guardiola gives shock approval for £34m star to leave club
Man City manager Pep Guardiola looks on during a Premier League match.
According to reports, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has given his ‘approval’ for an ‘unexpected departure’ at the Etihad.
Heading into the 2024/25 campaign, Guardiola‘s long-term future at Man City was in doubt as his previous contract was due to expire at the end of this season.
It was initially anticipated that he would follow Jurgen Klopp in leaving to take a break from football before moving into international football with the Brazil and England jobs mentioned as potential next steps.
Despite this, Guardiola committed his future to Man City at the end of last year, penning a two-year contract extension until 2027.
Guardiola has taken on a huge job at the Etihad as a significant squad rebuild is required following Man City’s decline this season.
Man City exited the title race before the New Year and their woeful end to 2025 pushed club chiefs to bring forward transfer plans as they were comfortably Europe’s biggest spending club in January.
Centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov was one of their January signings as they fended off competition from rival Premier League clubs to sign him for around 40 million euros (£34m).
The 21-year-old was thrown in at the deep end in his debut against Chelsea and struggled and he’s been an unused substitute in three consecutive Premier League matches.
A report from Spanish outlet Fichajes claims Guardiola has ‘surprised everyone at the Etihad’ as he’s ‘approved’ Khusanov’s ‘unexpected departure’ this summer.
‘Pep Guardiola believes the young centre-back needs more regular training to adapt to the high level of competition in European football.
‘Therefore, the Catalan manager has approved a possible loan move in the upcoming summer transfer window.
‘The club believes a temporary exit could be key for Khusanov to gain the necessary rhythm and experience before once again fighting for a place in the City squad.
‘Several teams, both in the Premier League and other European leagues, have already expressed interest in taking the centre back on loan.
‘The player’s physical and technical profile suits different situations and playing styles, and his potential is viewed favourably by several coaches looking for a centre back with potential and personality.
‘The final decision will depend on both the player himself and the Manchester City coaching staff.’
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Man City’s struggles this season have been well documented.
The Premier League champions have been void of the form that has seen them win the English top flight four seasons in a row with Pep Guardiola’s men currently fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Achieving this goal, as well as winning the FA Cup, would salvage the season for Man City and would once again highlight why Guardiola is the ‘best’ coach in the world amid all the problems in Manchester.
There have been many reasons for City’s drop off throughout the 2025/26 campaign and Phil Foden has shared what he believes to be the key factor.
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Phil Foden shares reasons for Man City’s struggles
Like many of Man City’s big stars this season, Foden has received criticism from pundits as the England star has fallen well below the levels expected of him.
Last season, the 24-year-old was essential to City winning the Premier League and that helped the winger claim his first PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Season Games Goals Assists Minutes
24/25 40 10 6 2732
23/24 53 27 13 4276
Phil Foden’s 24/25 campaign compared to his 23/24 season
Foden will be aware of the drop off in his performance when speaking about Man City’s struggles overall, the 24-year-old believes that the Manchester outfit are simply fatigued after many years of competing at the highest level.
“A number of things, we’ve had a lot of injuries,” Foden said when speaking about the reasons for Man City’s struggles on episode nine of TNT Sports’ Sign Up: Into Football.
“All the stuff we’ve won in the past has been so demanding on the body, you can’t stay at the top forever, and this season shows how much you have to put in to win those trophies, it shows the level that’s set to win these things. It’s a learning curve this season and hopefully next season we can be back to our best.”
Man City’s injury record
It is not the only reason for Man City’s disappointing campaign, but Foden does have a point about the fatigue in Guardiola’s squad and the injuries they have suffered.
The one that has had the biggest impact was the long-term injury to Rodri at the start of the season as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is essential to everything Man City do.
City have seen many of their stars suffer fitness issues throughout the 24/25 campaign and at present, Guardiola is without Erling Haaland, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ederson and Manuel Akanji, in addition to Rodri.
Foden also missed Man City’s impressive 5-2 win over Crystal Palace last week and if the Premier League champions are to get back to competing for the title next season, this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
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