Riyad Mahrez has opened up on his Manchester City exit, revealing that Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain personally appealed to him not to leave.
Mahrez joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli for £30m, ending a five-year spell at City that culminated in City winning the Champions League in June.
However, Mahrez had fallen out of Guardiola's starting XI for the big games as City also won the Premier League and FA Cup. Now, Mahrez says the fact he didn't start the Champions League final played a part in his decision to leave, as did the fact that he could offer security to his family with a long-term contract at Al Ahli.
Playing alongside Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, Franck Kessie and Allan Saint-Maximin, Mahrez has six goals and seven assists in 14 appearances for his new club. ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola's Man City squad wish is about to be tested ALSO READ: Mateo Kovacic adds to mounting Man City injury list ahead of Liverpool FC fixture Speaking to L'Equipe, Mahrez said: "I had two years left on my contract with Manchester City, I could have stayed.