Conflicts between players and coaches

1. Joan Cancelo and Pep Guardiola

Joao Cancelo will go on loan to Bayern Munich from Manchester City till the conclusion of the current season, with a £61 million permanent sale option. This is a deal that surprised everyone because Cancelo is one of the best players in the Premier League in 2021-22. He also just extended his contract until 2027 11 months ago.

Cancelo abruptly quit Manchester City before the winter 2023 transfer window closed due to a disagreement with Pep Guardiola. Cancelo's lack of seriousness since November of last year has not pleased the Spaniard. Before the 2022 World Cup, when Cancelo was dismissed against Fulham, he was incensed.

Joan Cancelo and Pep Guardiola

For Cancelo, he is extremely dissatisfied with Pep Guardiola's treatment and the amount of playing time he receives. Despite recent contacts between the two parties, Guardiola did not explain to the former Juventus star why he lost his job.

The remarkable development of youthful talent Rico Lewis was another factor in Pep's decision to immediately remove Cancelo from the plan. Cancelo is currently only the third choice at right-back, behind Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis, with Nathan Ake being used more frequently at left-back.

2. Romelu Lukaku and Thomas Tuchel

At the end of 2021, Romelu Lukaku caused controversy after an interview when he publicly expressed his desire to return to Inter and his relationship with coach Thomas Tuchel.

"I’m not happy with the situation, and that’s only natural. The head coach has made a choice to play a different system, and I can't give up; I need to keep working hard and being professional. I'm not happy with the situation, but I’m a worker, and I won't give up." He stated.

Romelu Lukaku and Thomas Tuchel

The Blues paid up to £98 million to sign Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021, but his performance thus far has fallen short of expectations. Lukaku is still keen on joining Inter after the 2021/22 season.Even so, he agreed to cut his salary in half to return to Inter Milan.

3. Samir Nasri and Roberto Mancini

Samir Nasri will undoubtedly be in the top group of players when discussing those who are the most despised. His frequent statements and open personality make him unpopular. Nasri doesn't just watch criticism of him go unanswered; he responds to it.

In 2012, Man City's coach Roberto Mancini helped the team win the first Premier League championship in its history by instilling a winning mindset into the organization. But Nasri, who was on the team that year, was not infatuated with the Italian strategist.

Samir Nasri and Roberto Mancini

Samir Nasri once publicly criticized and expressed displeasure with his coach:

"I get ready to go out at halftime. In the dressing room, I take off my shoes and tell Yaya Toure, who is sitting next to me, that if he speaks badly to me, I'll throw my boots at him because the coach used to disrespect and speak badly to players. I called him all kinds of names. Even his children, who sometimes came to play in the reserves or who trained with us."

4. Yaya Toure and Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola and Yaya Toure, two important Manchester City figures, were unable to speak with one voice. Even Toure noted that Pep Guardiola had issues with the African on every team he led because of the hostility between these two highly competent people. This might be a reference to Barcelona, where the two have previously collaborated.

Yaya Toure and Pep Guardiola

"Pep likes to dominate and wants to have obedient players who lick his hands," said Touré. "I do not like this kind of relationship. I respect my coach, but I am not his thing. Like all players, I have bickered with my coaches. But at a certain point, men who do not understand each other reconcile. This is not possible with Pep, who is very rigid. The other players will never admit it publicly, but some have already told me that they ended up hating him. Because he manipulates and plays a lot with your head."

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pep Guardiola

Another famous person who openly disagrees with Pep Guardiola is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In Barcelona, the two used to collaborate, but the Swedish striker did not enjoy it.

Barcelona is a phenomenal team. "The first six months were great, and then it was the manager's fault that everything went bad."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pep Guardiola

When discussing his time working with the Spanish coach in greater depth, Ibrahimovic said:

"When you buy me, you are buying a Ferrari. So you put premium fuel in the tank, you drive onto the highway, and you floor it. Guardiola filled up with diesel and went for a spin in the countryside. If that's what he wanted, he should have bought a Fiat."

6. Carlos Tevez and Roberto Mancini

Carlos Tevez and Roberto Mancini

Carlos Tevez has a short fuse and isn't hesitant to voice his thoughts, no matter how divisive they may be. He once berated coach Mancini for increasing his workout volume:

"The players are not happy with this. We are at the end of a long season; we have big matches; we are tired; but there are still double training sessions, morning and afternoon. Then, the next day, we train for two hours. I do not understand. But, please, he is the coach and I am the player. He is in charge. I am OK with him."

7. Roy Keane and Alex Ferguson

Roy Keane and Alex Ferguson

Roy Keane claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson had divulged too much in his autobiography after the great tactician published it:

"He was a bit harsh when he criticized me and the other players. We gave the club a lot and won a few titles, but the coach criticized all of us. He made millions of pounds from us and had statues and stands named after him. Sir Alex suspects he can scold everyone without being allowed to speak because he has power."

8. Mario Balotelli criticizes Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini as coaches

Probably the most challenging player to manage and coach is Mario Balotelli. This was confirmed by Mourinho. In his autobiography, Steven Gerrard concurs with the statement made by the guy who claimed he "couldn't work with Balotelli."

The Portuguese instructor did not impress Balotelli either.

"Mourinho is the best coach in the world, but as a man, he has a lot to learn about politeness and respect," he said.

Mario Balotelli criticizes Jose Mourinho

Balotelli also criticized Roberto Mancini. Meanwhile, this strategist was also sick of this player. He once claimed that if the two players were teammates, he would fight them every day.

And Balotelli indirectly responded:

"He can't win; I practice Thai kickboxing."