Kyle Walker has revealed he is set to leave Manchester City after defender Pep Guardiola expressed his desire to “play abroad and end his career”.
In his post-match comments, Guardiola confirmed Walker's desire to seek a new experience after City thrashed Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad on Saturday.
The Manchester City boss hailed Salford-born midfielder James McAteer after scoring a second-half hat-trick in the emphatic win at AT.
Jeremy Doku (2); Jack Grealish Nico O'Reilly and debutant Divin Mubama continued City's strong start to 2025 and completed the scoring.
full time | Hat 🎩
🩵 8-0 🔴 # Manchester City | @okx pic.twitter.com/uVvzcCGHIs
— Man City (@ManCity) January 11 2025
But the 34-year-old manager, who has made more than 200 appearances for the club, has asked to leave the Etihad after eight years, and Walker may soon be missing from the starting line-up.
“Two days ago, Kyle (Walker) asked to explore the option of playing abroad and ending his career,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola has also revealed that the England international is interested in leaving Bayern Munich after City's treble in 2023.
“I asked him, the club asked him, how important is this,” said the City manager.
“But now in his mind he wants to go to another country. That's why I prefer to play against other players who have the same mentality as I have here.”
“He's asking to explore (his options) so that can't happen,” he said. we don't know You'll never know. I have researched the situation and appreciate it very much. I appreciate what he has done for us over the years.
“But he said he wanted to explore and explore in his mind. honest? I don't know what happened.”
Hat trick for James McAtee ⚽️⚽️⚽️#MCISAL #BBCF football pic.twitter.com/Pg1eILQEzy
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 11 2025
“I'm very happy for him,” Guardiola said of McAtee's performance. He is a special player.
“Getting a hat-trick is not easy. I'd say he flattened out a bit, but after having an incredible feeling in front of goal. He has the right tempo; I'm really happy for him to change the rhythm to score.”
“He has been a Manchester City supporter for many years at the academy. He is Jadon Sancho; Cole Palmer; One of the biggest talents of Morgan Rogers and Liam Delap's generation.
“He's playing with these guys and he's always been their captain. We're really pleased he's with us.”
City will be hoping to extend their winning streak to four games when they travel to Brantford in the Premier League on Tuesday.