Yaya Toure is no longer a Manchester City player and has, therefore, stepped out to speak against former manager Pep Guardiola.
The former African footballer of the year accused the Spaniard of racism, stating that he was treated cruelly in his final year at Manchester and he hinted that it might have had to do with the colour of his skin.
“I want to be the one who breaks the Guardiola myth,” he said in an interview
“I tried to understand it and I even asked coaches for my stats. When I realised that they were as good or better, both in training and in matches, as those who played and were younger than me, I understood that it was not question of physicality. I don’t know why but I have the impression that he was jealous, he took me for a rival.
“I have the impression that Pep, without acknowledgment or respect, did everything to spoil my last season.
“He was cruel with me. Do you really think he could’ve been like that with Andres Iniesta? It got to the point I asked myself if it was because of my colour. I’m not the first, other Barca players asked the question too.
“Maybe us Africans aren’t always treated the same by certain people. When you see the problems [Pep] has often had with African players, everywhere he has been, I ask myself questions.
“He’s too intelligent to be caught. He’ll never admit [not liking African players]. But the day he picks a team with five Africans in it, I promise I will send him a cake!
“Beyond that, Pep likes to dominate and wants to have obedient players who kiss his hands. I don’t like that kind of relationship. I respect my coach but I’m not his thing.”
While Manchester City marched to the title with 100 points, Toure played very little part in that starting only one game.
He blamed Guardiola for ruining his farewell; “He stole my farewell with City, a club with beautiful fans. I would have liked to leave with emotion of this club the way Iniesta [left Barca] or Gianluigi Buffon [left Juventus]. But Pep prevented me.” he said