Pep Guardiola is currently going through the worst season of a managerial career that had previously been almost flawless.
Even the best managers make mistakes occasionally though and Guardiola recently admitted to one that left him feeling regretful.
It was Guardiola’s decision to allow a player to leave too soon that is still playing on his mind.
However, Guardiola was not talking about City’s decision to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea for £42.5million in September last year.
Palmer has since delivered 34 goals and 17 assists in 52 Premier League games for his new team.
But the man Guardiola claims he should have kept for longer was Jesus Navas.
Pep Guardiola has admitted to making a transfer ‘mistake’ as manager of Manchester City
That mistake was not selling Cole Palmer to rivals Chelsea for £42.5million in September 2023
Guardiola says he regrets letting Spanish star Jesus Navas leave City on a free transfer in 2017
Navas left the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2017 at the end of Guardiola’s first season in Manchester.
The Spanish star had been with City since 2013 and racked up 183 appearances across all competitions.
Upon leaving City, Navas rejoined Sevilla on a free transfer and enjoyed another seven and a half seasons in southern Spain before opting to retire.
The 39-year-old’s playing career officially ended on New Year’s Eve when his contract expired.
However, he will remain at Sevilla in a non-playing role following an offer from the club’s president.
Sevilla held a ceremony to celebrate the career of Navas this week, prompting Guardiola to reach out.
Guardiola told his former player: ‘Thank you for the gift of having spent a year together. You don’t know how much I regret letting you go.
‘I would have loved for you to stay longer here, but sometimes you make mistakes.
Navas made 183 appearances across all competitions for City and won three major trophies
Guardiola and Navas pictured celebrating a win over Manchester United in September 2016
Sevilla legend Navas, 39, retired from playing when his contract expired on New Year’s Eve
‘Congratulations to all Sevillistas for having had such an extraordinary player and a person who defines Sevillismo.
‘For many years to come, Sevillistas, don’t let him slip away. Keep him close and with all of you. Farewell.’
Navas won one Premier League title and two EFL Cups during his four years at City.
He won eight trophies across his two spells with Sevilla, including the UEFA Cup/Europa League on four occasions.
The right-sided ace also enjoyed success at international level with Spain by winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships of 2012 and 2024, as well as the 2022-23 edition of the UEFA Nations League.
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