Yaya Touré, former Ivorian player for Barcelona and The midfielder compared the Spanish coach to a snake and revealed episodes of humiliation at both clubs. The statement comes amid an old feud, which began during the 2009/10 season at Barcelona.
Touré played under the command of Guardiola between 2008 and 2010 for the Catalan team, where he won the sextet in 2009, but lost space afterwards. The tension was repeated from 2016 to 2018 at Manchester City, where the player, a local idol, was relegated to the bench.
The central episode of the interview refers to Copa of Mundo in 2010, in África of Sul, where Touré stood out for the selection of Costa of Marfim. Apesar of limited minutes in the Barcelona during the previous year, the coach changed his stance after the tournament.
The interview, conducted by YouTuber Zack Nani, lasts around two hours and covers the former player’s career, focusing on interpersonal relationships.
Initial trajectory from Touré to Barcelona
Yaya Touré arrived at Barcelona in 2007, coming from Monaco, and quickly joined the cast of Frank Rijkaard. In the following season, with the rise of Guardiola to command, the Ivorian actively participated in the conquest of the sextete, including Liga from Campeões and Campeonato Espanhol.
His performance included 42 games and three goals in that victorious campaign. However, from 2009/10 onwards, the coach prioritized Sergio Busquets in the rotation, reducing the opportunities from Touré to just nine starters in La Liga.
The player, versatile and capable of playing in multiple positions, felt the impact of the tactical decision. In 2010, he transferred to Manchester City for 24 million euros, beginning an eight-season era at the English club.
- Main achievements in the Barça: Sextete of 2009, with titles in all competitions played.
- Transition to City: Contrato for four years, with a starting salary of £160,000 a week.
- Immediate impact: Touré scored the winning goal in the 2011 Cup FA Final against Stoke City.
Copa episode from 2010 and the change in stance
Touré shone in the Copa of the Mundo in 2010, with solid performances for the Costa of the Marfim, which advanced to the round of 16. The tournament, played in África of Sul, marked the player’s individual peak, with an average of 7.2 in FIFA ratings per match.
After Mundial, Guardiola contacted Touré for a possible return to Barcelona. The coach emphasized the importance of returning, but the player refused, influenced by his wife. Ela questioned the sincerity of the proposal, recalling the bank year imposed previously.
The refusal led to the consolidation of the transfer to City, where Touré became a pillar of the midfield. However, the interview reveals that the episode left profound consequences on the Ivorian’s perception of the Spaniard.
Guardiola, in turn, continued a successful career in the Barça until 2012, winning three more La Ligas. Touré, at City, helped lift the club’s first English title in 2012.
The post-World Cup exchange illustrates common dynamics in elite negotiations, where performance in Copas influences contractual decisions.
Tense reunion at Manchester City
Guardiola took over Manchester City in 2016, reuniting with Touré, then 32 years old and a local idol. The Ivorian had been instrumental in the 2012 and 2014 titles, with 80 goals in 316 games for the club.
The expectation was for harmony, but the coach opted for a tactical reformulation, prioritizing young players like Gundogan and Fernandinho. Touré played just 25 games in the 2016/17 season, starting 12.
In 2017/18, the situation got worse: the player was excluded from the Liga list of the Campeões and played in a mere ten Premier League games. Seu agent, Dimitri Seluk, publicly criticized management, alleging a lack of respect.
Touré apologized in an open letter, but left for the Olympiacos in 2018. The City, under Guardiola, won the treble in 2023, including the club’s first Champions League.
Family view and accusations of marginalization
Touré’s wife played a central role in her husband’s decisions. Ela advised him to reject Barcelona in 2010, calling Guardiola “Sheytan”, the Arabic term for devil, and describing him as evil and negative.
In the interview, Touré adopted the snake metaphor to illustrate the perception of betrayal. Ele stated that he was treated “like dust” at both clubs, questioning the coach’s selectivity with African players.
Suspicions of discrimination arose in 2018 when Touré suggested that Guardiola had “problems with Africans”. Posteriormente, he clarified was a misinterpretation, but the recent interview revives the debate.
Other former players, such as Samuel Eto’o, shared similar views on Guardiola’s management style, which focused on absolute control.
- 2018 accusations: Agente of Touré alleged that the coach ignored African players’ birthdays.
- City’s answer: Inclusão gradual from talents like Sterling and Mahrez, both awarded under Guardiola.
- Legacy of Touré: Três Premier Leagues and legendary status in Etihad Stadium.
Post-retirement career and current context
Retired since 2019, Touré works as a technical assistant. Trabalhou with Patrick Vieira in Crystal Palace and in the Tanzânia selection, as well as courses at UEFA to become a head coach.
Currently, aged 42, he lives in Inglaterra and occasionally commentates football. The ZACK interview, watched by thousands in just a few hours, rekindles interest in the rivalry.
Guardiola, 54, manages City in Premier League 2025/26, with the team in second place after 14 rounds. The coach avoided responding to criticism, focusing on games like the next one against Sunderland.
The feud highlights contrasts in modern football: collective success versus individual frustrations.
Touré expressed a desire to break the “myth” surrounding Guardiola, emphasizing that victories do not justify personal treatment.
Shared achievements and tactical divergences
Despite the tensions, Touré and Guardiola have racked up impressive trophies together. No Barcelona, the 2009 sextet included 23 wins in 27 Touré games under the coach’s initial command.
In the City, the two titles in the 2017/18 Premier League came with specific contributions from the Ivorian, including key assists. Estatísticas show that Touré maintained 88% pass accuracy when deployed.
Divergences emerged in tactical preference: Guardiola prioritizes ball possession and high pressure, which required younger and more agile profiles, contrasting with the physical style of Touré.
Analysts note that the transition from Busquets to Barça mirrored that of Rodri to the current City, both balancing flywheels.
The Ivorian indirectly praised the success of City, but regretted not being an integral part of the Guardiola era.
Influence on the Ivorian national team
For Costa of Marfim, Touré played 100 games and scored nine goals, including in Copa of 2010.
2010’s Mundial, with draws against Brasil and Coreia from Norte, raised its global status. Lesões and early eliminations marked his international trajectory.
Today, as an ambassador for the Ivorian federation, Touré promotes the development of young African talents.
His criticism of Guardiola echoes in discussions about the inclusion of African players in European elites, with FIFA data showing a 15% increase in African transfers to top-5 leagues since 2010.
