- Kyle Walker joined AC Milan on loan after admitting he wanted to leave Man City
- The England right-back admitted the move was the ‘opportunity he wanted’
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It’s been revealed that Pep Guardiola was left ‘disappointed’ with Kyle Walker after he went to Man City chiefs to push for an exit from the club.
The 34-year-old decided on seeking a new challenge last month after a difficult campaign with the Premier League champions and, as a result, joined AC Milan.
Prior to his departure, Walker opened up on the moment he told Guardiola about his wish to leave City, admitting it ‘wasn’t a very comfortable conversation’.
Now, reports claim that Guardiola was left ‘disappointed’ by the full-back after he went to City chief Txiki Begiristain to push through the Milan move.
The Athletic claim the City boss felt as though he had a close relationship with the defender and believed Walker would have gone to him first.
In total, Walker only started nine of City’s 23 Premier League matches, making way for the likes of Rico Lewis and even midfielder Matheus Nunes at right-back.
Kyle Walker sealed a move from Man City to AC Milan at the start of the January window
It’s been revealed that Pep Guardiola was left ‘disappointed’ in the England international
Reports claim Walker went to Txiki Begiristain (left) to push through his Man City exit
Opening up on his Manchester City exit during a press conference in Milan, Walker said: ‘When I spoke with Pep, it wasn’t a very comfortable conversation – mainly because of the respect we have for each other.
‘What he’s won at Manchester City, I’ve won it too. I like to think he knows what I bring to a dressing room, the atmosphere I create.
‘City was my family – from the cooks to the cleaners, the kit men and physios. I like to think I was liked and helped everyone blend in.
‘But things weren’t going well there and I wasn’t playing enough football. Hopefully I can play a bit more here.’
Walker is widely-regarded as one of the Premier League’s best ever players in his position, having won six titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and one Champions League during his eight-year spell at the Etihad.
Despite wanting to leave, the 34-year-old defender urged that he would have remained at the Etihad and given his all, even if a suitable club was not found by the close of the window.
