Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has shared what manager Pep Guardiola has been like behind the scenes this summer.
The Citizens have had a poor start to the Premier League season, losing two of their three opening games.
Manchester City started well enough at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they then lost their opening home game to Tottenham Hotspur.
To make things worse, City squandered a 1-0 lead at Brighton & Hove Albion to lose 2-1 last time out.
Doku, currently on international duty with Belgium, also spoke about his own form and what it’s like reuniting with Kevin De Bruyne.
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Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, embraces Jeremy Doku of Manchester City after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC at Old Trafford on April 06, 2025
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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Jeremy Doku says Pep Guardiola is ‘still as passionate as ever’
Jeremy Doku has admitted that he’s not at his best yet, suggesting pre-season hasn’t been especially great.
However, the 23-year-old stressed that Pep Guardiola is still as passionate as ever and that he’s working hard to put things right.
“I’m not the best version of myself yet,” Doku told Het Nieuwsblad. “For us players, good pre-season simply doesn’t exist anymore.
“We get three weeks off and have to be ready again. It takes time to get back on track as a team,” Doku explained.
“Our coach, Pep Guardiola, is still as passionate as ever and is working even harder to turn things around quickly. Pep isn’t just sitting there for no reason.”
Doku also admitted it was “strange” to see De Bruyne again so soon after his move to Napoli.
The winger suggested the two would engage in banter when Napoli face Man City in the Champions League this season.
“It’s strange to see Kevin again,” he said. “I used to see him every day at Man City.
“Only, he’ll be my opponent when we face Napoli in the Champions League. That will probably lead to a series of teasing moments.”
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In recent months, there has been talk about whether Guardiola’s heart is still in it, considering how long he has been at the club.
Just this week, Richard Keys claimed that Guardiola looks “tired” and “bored”, and suggested the players might be bored of him too.
However, Doku’s comments suggest Guardiola’s heart is still very much in it.
Last season, Guardiola penned a contract extension that will extend his time at Man City until the summer of 2027.
The coach has confirmed that he will leave City at some point and take a break, but for the time being, he feels “fine”.