Pep Guardiola has signed very few duds during his time at Manchester City, but even he knows he made a mistake when he let one former player leave for free
Pep Guardiola has signed very few duds during his time at Manchester City, but even he knows he made a mistake when he let one former player leave for free Pep Guardiola has signed very few duds during his time at Manchester City, but even he knows he made a mistake when he let one former player leave for free
Pep Guardiola has admitted he was wrong to not offer Jesus Navas a new contract at Manchester City.
Navas, 39, who joined Man City in 2013 from Sevilla, clinched a Premier League title and two League Cups during his time at the Etihad. However, he departed the club in 2017 after just one season under Guardiola’s management.
He would go on to return to Sevilla as a newly converted right-back. Not far off his 40th birthday, Navas has now officially retired from football at his boyhood club. Navas leaves the game as a World Cup winner, a two-time European champion, a four-time Europa League winner and a Premier League champion. As part of his farewell celebrations, Guardiola reached out and told the versatile right-midfielder he should not have let him go.
Guardiola said: “Thank you for the gift of having spent a year together. You don’t know how much I regret letting you go.
“I would have loved for you to stay longer here, but sometimes you make mistakes. Congratulations to all Sevillistas for having had such an extraordinary player and a person who defines Sevillismo.
“For many years to come, Sevillistas, don’t let him slip away. Keep him close and with all of you. Farewell.”
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Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Despite being the one who was let go, the veteran expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Guardiola. Speaking of his time at City, Navas said: “I grew a lot [at City].
“We have Manuel Pellegrini here; I will always be grateful. We enjoyed many titles and I want to thank Guardiola as well; his ideas are incredible; as a coach, he is fantastic.”
With a City career that included 183 appearances, eight goals, and 35 assists, Navas’ contribution was significant. Last year, Guardiola also admitted that he should have tried to retain Navas’ services.
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Europa Press via Getty Images)
He was asked about the former winger before City clashed with Sevilla in last year’s UEFA Super Cup. Looking back on the decision, he said: “Maybe now I’d have extended Jesus’ contract.
“It was an old team in that period, lots of players past 30. In that year a lot of changes. Incredible to see him at 37, 38, how committed he is to Sevilla.”
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