Toure: 'Pep is not a man but a snake'

They achieved a lot of success together, and at two clubs, but Yaya Toure never truly “got along” with Pep Guardiola. Their animosity dates back to their Barcelona days and was always more noticeable on the part of the former Ivory Coast international. Just before leaving Manchester City, Toure accused Guardiola of “having a problem with African players wherever he goes,” and that their relationship is still far from good even seven years later can be concluded from the latest statements of the four-time African Player of the Year.

Appearing on the YouTube channel ZACK, Yaya Toure once again reignited his long-standing and intense feud with the current Manchester City manager. The veteran midfielder did not hold back on that occasion and, recalling the period when he was leaving Barcelona, revealed details that “set social media on fire.”

“I don’t see a man in him, I see a snake. The guy didn’t let me play all season, and then at the end of the year I shone at the World Cup (in 2010), and he wanted to keep me. My wife told me: ‘Him? The devil! He’s not a man, he’s evil’” recalled the 42-year-old, who currently works as an assistant to Herve Renard with the Saudi Arabia national team.

Yaya Toure hopes to settle the feud with Pep Guardiola

The season Toure is referring to is the one in which Sergio Busquets established himself as a key figure in Barcelona’s team and, together with Xavi and Andres Iniesta, formed the legendary midfield trio. To be fair, Yaya Toure also had a role, but his playing time was somewhat limited. He evidently felt he deserved more, and partly because of that he held a grudge against Guardiola and, after the World Cup, left for a club where he would be more appreciated.

“After the World Cup, the Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola called me and said: ‘You have to come back, it’s important.’ My wife told me: ‘Are you really going to listen to that nonsense? He treated you like trash and now he wants you to stay? Are you staying? We’re going to Manchester‘” Toure revealed.

Yaya claims he wanted Mane in Manchester City

Unfortunately for Toure, the two crossed paths again in 2016 when Guardiola took charge of Manchester City. Once again, the African midfielder’s playing time gradually decreased, and the situation further deteriorated when his agent Dimitri Seluk criticized the Spanish coach, saying he had humiliated a great player by leaving him on the bench. Guardiola then demanded that Seluk apologize, but instead, Seluk continued to speak negatively about the Spanish coach on several more occasions, until Toure eventually left the Etihad in June of 2018.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 15

Saturday

15.30: (4.00) Aston Villa (3.45) Arsenal (1.95)

18.00: (3.30) Bournemouth (3.70) Chelsea (2.20)

18.00: (2.25) Everton (3.35) Nott.Forest (3.50)

18.00: (1.28) Man.City (6.75) Sunderland (10.5)

18.00: (1.30) Newcastle (5.50) Burnley (10.0)

18.00: (2.35) Tottenham (3.40) Brentford (3.00)

20.30: (4.20) Leeds (4.00) Liverpool (1.85)

Sunday

17.00: (1.60) Brighton (4.35) West Ham (5.70)

19.30: (2.55) Fulham (3.25) Crystal Palace (2.85)

Monday

23.00: (4.60) Wolverhampton (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.80)

* odds are subject to change