Yaya Touré, renowned former midfielder for Barcelona and The Ivorian player compared the Spanish coach to a snake, exposing episodes of supposed humiliation experienced at both clubs. The statements rekindle an old rivalry between the two, which began during the 2009/10 season at the Catalan club and extended to the period at the English team.
Touré worked under the command of Guardiola initially between 2008 and 2010 at Barcelona, a period in which he won the historic sextet in 2009, but saw his space progressively shrink. The tension intensified and was repeated between 2016 and 2018 at Manchester City, where the Ivorian, considered a local idol, was relegated to the bench, generating dissatisfaction and questions.
The interview, conducted by YouTuber Zack Nani, explored the former player’s career in depth, with a particular focus on the complex interpersonal relationships that marked his career. The revelations brought to light details about Touré’s perception regarding Guardiola’s management and its impact on the athlete’s career.
The initial relationship of Touré with Guardiola
Yaya Touré arrived at Barcelona in 2007, joining the cast of Frank Rijkaard. With the rise of Guardiola in 2008, the Ivorian participated in winning the sextete in 2009, with 42 games and three goals. However, from 2009/10, Guardiola prioritized Sergio Busquets, reducing Touré’s opportunities to just nine holdings in La Liga.
Feeling the impact of the tactical decision, the versatile player transferred to Manchester City in 2010 for 24 million euros, beginning an eight-season era at the English club, where he would seek more protagonism.
The decisive episode of Copa in 2010
Touré shone in 2010’s Copa of Mundo in 2010’s África of Sul, with solid performances by Costa of Marfim, raising its global status. Após o Mundial, Guardiola contacted Touré about a possible return to Barcelona, emphasizing the player’s importance.
However, the player refused the proposal, influenced by his wife, who questioned the coach’s sincerity after the previous year on the bench. Essa decision sealed his transfer to Manchester City, where he became a fundamental pillar.
The episode left deep marks on Touré’s perception of Guardiola, while the coach continued to be victorious in Barça until 2012.
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The tense reunion at Manchester City
Guardiola took over Manchester City in 2016, reuniting with Touré, then 32 years old and a local idol, fundamental in the 2012 and 2014 titles. The expectation of harmony was frustrated.
The coach’s tactical reformulation prioritized young players like Gundogan and Fernandinho. Touré played just 25 games in the 2016/17 season, 12 as a starter.
The situation worsened in 2017/18, with its exclusion from the Liga list of the Campeões and only ten games in the Premier League.
His agent publicly criticized management, leading Touré to apologize in an open letter before leaving for Olympiacos in 2018.
Family view and accusations of marginalization
Yaya Touré’s wife played a central role in her husband’s decisions, advising him to reject Barcelona in 2010. In the interview, Touré used the snake metaphor to illustrate betrayal, claiming to have been treated “like dust” in both clubs.
He questioned the coach’s selectivity with African players, suspicions that arose in 2018 and were later clarified as a misinterpretation, but the recent interview revives the debate. Outros former players, like Samuel Eto’o, share similar views on Guardiola’s management style, focused on absolute control.
- 2018 accusations: Agente of Touré alleged that the coach ignored African players’ birthdays.
- Answer from City: The club, under Guardiola, valued talents such as Sterling and Mahrez, both of whom won awards under his management.
- Legacy of Touré: Três Premier Leagues and legendary status in Etihad Stadium.
Post-retirement career and the current scenario
Retired since 2019, Touré works as a technical assistant, having worked with Atualmente aged 42, he lives in Inglaterra and occasionally comments on football. The interview on ZACK, widely watched, reignites the rivalry with Guardiola, who, at 54 years old, continues to direct Manchester City in Premier League 2025/26, focused on the team’s commitments. Esta persistent rivalry highlights the contrasts between collective success and individual frustrations in high-performance football. Touré expressed the desire to demystify the image of Guardiola, emphasizing that victories do not justify certain personal treatments.
Shared achievements and tactical divergences
Despite the tensions, Touré and Guardiola have accumulated impressive trophies. No Barcelona, the 2009 sextet included 23 wins from Touré. No City, contributed to two Premier League titles. Divergências emerged in Guardiola’s tactical preference for ball possession and high pressing, contrasting with Touré’s physical style.
Influence on the Ivorian national team
For Costa of Marfim, Touré played 100 games and scored nine goals, being captain in Copa Africana of Hoje, as the federation’s ambassador, promotes African talent, and his criticism of Guardiola echoes discussions about the inclusion of African players in European football.
