The relationship between Cancelo and Guardiola has been strained in recent months.
Joao Cancelo’s shock departure from Manchester City reportedly came following a training ground bust-up with manager Pep Guardiola last week.
On Monday afternoon, it was revealed that the Portuguese fullback is set to join Bayern Munich until the end of the season, with the deal likely to include an option to buy.
Since the World Cup, Cancelo has fallen out of favour under Guardiola and has failed to start any of the last three games in all competitions for the Premier League champions.
The defender, who has featured in the two most recent PFA Premier League Team of the Year selections, played 36 times for City last season.
It has now been reported that his departure has been a result of a training ground bust-up with Guardiola prior to City’s FA Cup clash against Arsenal last Friday.
The Mail reports that the 28-year-old Portugal international had been increasingly disruptive to the squad in recent weeks and his relationship with his manager has deteriorated since the World Cup.
Things came to a head last week after he learned he would not be starting the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Arsenal. This prompted an angry reaction from Cancelo.
EXCL: Cancelo to leave City following training ground bust-up with Guardiola. Player reacted angrily when learned he wasn't in starting XI v Arsenal. Threatened to leave and told he could go. No player bigger than club. Story w/ @Jack_Gaughan https://t.co/s9xNMEqRlC #mcfc
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) January 30, 2023
He threatened to leave the club, and Man City’s hierarchy clearly decided it was for the best for him to leave Manchester for pastures new as the relationship between him and Guardiola was beyond repair.
The club were reportedly happy to accept Bayern’s loan offer when it was submitted. The German champions have the option to sign the defender permanently for £61m at the end of the season.
Cancelo started only three of the 10 fixtures for Man City since the World Cup. The games he was involved in were defeats to Southampton and Manchester United, whilst he was substituted at halftime of the Premier League win over Chelsea.
How his departure from the Etihad affects a City side that finds themselves five points behind table-topping Arsenal in the Premier League remains to be seen.
However, club sources are apparently adamant they have enough cover in defence if no new signings arrive through the door before the end of the January transfer window.
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