'Livid' Man City argument that left an angry Pep Guardiola in the dark

Pep Guardiola broke his habit of never explaining his team selections to his players...only to end up in a blazing row about it.

The Manchester City manager never likes justifying his decisions on a matchday, instead taking the responsibility for the team he picks and leaving the door open for anyone who didn't start to prove him wrong. However, in March 2021 after star forward Raheem Sterling had questioned a game where he was left out of the team Guardiola decided to invite him into his office.

Details of the conversation are revealed in the new Marti Perarnau book The Pep Revolution that left neither the player nor his manager happy. Guardiola was less than satisfied with the way the team was finishing in front of goal and his solution had not included Sterling in the team.

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“None of which has gone down well with Sterling, who’s stormed out of the office twice, only to be called back in again," writes Perarnau. "Then, after several more furious exchanges, a clearly livid Sterling exits, leaving Pep sitting in his office. With the lights out. Simmering with rage."

Both men would calm down to ensure City had a successful season. The Blues wrapped up their Premier League title - the third in four years - and made it all the way to the Champions League final, only to suffer a disappointing end with defeat to Chelsea.

The Pep Revolution by Martí Perarnau (Ebury Spotlight, £22) is published 15 August.