Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed striker Julian Alvarez’s departure for the first time since the reigning Premier League champions agreed an £81.5 million deal to sell the Argentina international to Atletico Madrid.
Speaking before the Community Shield 2024 against Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday (3pm BST), Guardiola reiterated that the move was Alvarez’s decision and said he “did not know” exactly why the 24-year-old, who was unhappy at being left out for key matches, wanted to leave.
“His contribution has been massive,” said Guardiola, adding that City had “won everything” during Alvarez’s two seasons at the Etihad Stadium.
“He wanted to leave. He wanted a new challenge at a top, top club in Spain and Europe. When [the club] suggested to me that he wanted to leave, I said ‘it’s OK’.”
El Sorprendente Julián Álvarez. 🕷️🇦🇷#CopaMundialFIFA | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8bPmOnJHVn
— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) July 30, 2024
Alvarez transfer: Atletico, City ‘happy’
“It’s happened, both clubs are happy,” said Guardiola. “I wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him back to say goodbye.
“It was a joy to work with him and I learned a lot off him. A manager learns a lot off players. Hopefully he can find what he is looking for.”
Alvarez’s exit appeared abrupt, with the former River Plate prospect only announcing that he was considering leaving City while playing for his country at the 2024 Summer Olympics less than two weeks ago.
“I don’t know the reason why,” said Guardiola. “He said to me he wanted a new challenge. He felt it was what he had to do.
“Last season he played a lot but I understand that in certain important moments he thought he was going to play. In the end, the club has to make a decision.”
🏆 @ManCity‘s Julian Alvarez already has an astounding list of achievements at 24 years old!
With Argentina through to the quarter-finals at #Paris2024, will he add an Olympic Gold Medal to these honours? pic.twitter.com/LfXi275ljC
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 30, 2024
Alvarez contract ‘broken’
The 2024 Copa America winner was almost ever-present for City in the league in 2023/24 until mid-February but started only two of their 10 Uefa Champions League matches, playing 33 minutes in total across their quarter-final against Madrid.
He was also excluded from the starting line-up in their surprise FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United and Premier League run-in, playing for 17 minutes across their final four top-flight games and scoring twice.
“I’m not a person who likes to say to a player what to do,” explained Guardiola. “A contract can be broken if you believe happiness is around a corner. He believed his period here must be over, so OK – both clubs reached an agreement.”
Guardiola added that City “may or may not” sign a replacement for Alvarez, who scored 19 times and set up 13 goals in 2023-24.
