Yaya Toure has accused Pep Guardiola of mistreating African players and says the Manchester City boss ‘spoiled’ his last season at the Etihad Stadium.
The 35-year-old is due to officially leave City at the end this month June once his contract expires and played only 17 games in his last season under Guardiola.
Toure has claimed that his omission from the team was because of ‘jealousy’ from Guardiola and says he was harshly treated by the City manager.
‘I tried to understand it and I even asked the coaches for my stats,’ Toure told France Football.
‘When I realised that they were as good or better, both in training and in matches, as those who played and were younger than me, I understood that it was not question of physicality. I don’t know why but I have the impression that he was jealous, he took me for a rival.
‘I have the impression that Pep, without acknowledgment or respect, did everything to spoil my last season.
‘He was cruel with me. Do you really think he could’ve been like that with Andres Iniesta?
‘It got to the point I asked myself if it was because of my colour.
‘I’m not the first, other Barca players asked the question too.
‘Maybe us Africans aren’t always treated the same by certain people.
‘When you see the problems [Guardiola] has often had with African players, everywhere he has been, I ask myself questions.
‘He’s too intelligent to be caught. He’ll never admit. But the day he picks a team with five Africans in it, I promise I will send him a cake!
‘Beyond that, Pep likes to dominate and wants to have obedient players who kiss his hands. I don’t like that kind of relationship. I respect my coach but I’m not his thing.
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‘He stole my farewell with City, a club with beautiful fans.
‘I would have liked to leave with emotion of this club the way Iniesta (left Barcelona) or Gianluigi Buffon (left Juventus). But Pep prevented me.’
