Riyad Mahrez opens up on Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain late attempts to stop Man City exit

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.

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Speaking to L'Equipe, Mahrez said: "I had two years left on my contract with Manchester City, I could have stayed. It was really me who decided to leave. I felt that this opportunity would not come again. Maybe it was time to leave because I had spent five years at City and won everything.

"To be honest, I still have a taste of unfinished business. In the Champions League, I did not play the semi-final or the final. In previous seasons, I always started in the Champions League while always being impactful for my team.

"This last year, I couldn't say it went badly, but I have a bit of this feeling of unfinished business. I was offered four years in Saudi Arabia, in a Muslim country where I can definitely protect my family. There was also a new challenge, and a new project. So, I