Manuel Akanji will start a new chapter in his career at Inter Milan once the international break is over, and the defender has just revealed what Pep Guardiola told all his defenders before the current season.
Akanji joined Inter on deadline day as it became clear throughout the first three games of the season that the Swiss star wasn’t going to be a major part of Guardiola’s plans at City, having not played a single minute for the Manchester club.
With the Man City boss keen to trim the numbers within his squad before the transfer window shut, the centre-back was a player the legendary coach was happy to let go, along with Ilkay Gundogan who has moved to Galatasaray.
Speaking for the first time since completing his move to Italy, Akanji has told reporters what Guardiola said to all his defenders ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Manuel Akanji in action during Manchester City v Al Ain.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola told his defenders he cannot guarantee them minutes
At the end of last season, one area of the pitch Guardiola did not have to address was centre-back, as the legendary coach had several options for the position heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
Knowing this, the Spaniard knew some stars would have to leave, which is why the 54-year-old told all his defenders that they would have to be at their best to get minutes, as he cannot guarantee them playing time throughout the current season.
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Akanji revealed this during a press conference ahead of Switzerland’s World Cup qualifier with Kosovo on Friday.
“It wasn’t easy for my agent, but I had clear ideas. I wanted to continue playing at the top level of European football, and with Inter, I will certainly be doing that,” Akanji told the press via Football Italia when speaking about his move to Inter.
“There were six central defenders in the squad, and he [Guardiola] openly told us it would not be easy for anyone to have regular playing time. And that was the case. It was not an ideal situation, but I was well aware of the competition for places.”
How Pep Guardiola fixed Man City’s centre-back issue
In addition to Akanji’s departure, Man City allowed Vitor Reis to go out on loan to Girona for the current season, which has reduced the number of centre-backs in Guardiola’s squad to five.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol will be the undisputed starters, with John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov to support the defensive duo throughout the 25/26 campaign.
Nathan Ake was linked with a move away from Man City during the final week of the transfer window; however, the Dutch star stayed, as he is a very useful asset to Guardiola, given that he can play as a centre-back and at left-back.