Former Munich player Joao Cancelo spoke about his time at FC Bayern in an interview – and also lashed out at Pep Guardiola
Joao Cancelo has had a remarkable career – and probably still has a few “good years” ahead of him. The Portuguese is currently on loan at FC Barcelona, where he is also a regular (24 league games, 2 goals, 3 assists). The Portuguese feels at home with the Catalans and makes no secret of his desire to stay. Whether this will work out remains to be seen at the end of the season, as his contract with Manchester City runs until June 30, 2027.
The fact is: Things are going better for Joao Cancelo at Barcelona than in Munich: He played on loan at FC Bayern from January to June 2023 and was not entirely convincing despite 21 competitive matches (1 goal). “It was harder than I thought,” said the 29-year-old looking back in an interview with A Bola, explaining: “I thought the Bundesliga was easier than it was – and that Bayern dominated much more.” However, this was not the case, even though he left Munich with a championship in his luggage. The rail player has fond memories of FC Bayern – and he has no regrets about his move. “It was a club that gave me a lot. I worked with great players and the club is spectacular. “
Sharp tips against Guardiola
Joao Cancelo was far less kind in his comments towards Manchester City. He is still under contract with the British club, but he has also fallen out of favor with the Skyblues – and feels he has been treated unfairly. “I think Manchester City were a bit ungrateful to me in the end because I was such an important player for them over the years. I never neglected my duties to the club and the fans and always gave my all.”
City coach Pep Guardiola had hinted that Joao Cancelo had left the club because he did not want to accept a reserve role. “Lies have been told! I’ve never been a bad team-mate. You can ask either Nathan Aké or Rico Lewis. I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complexes towards them, but that’s the coach’s opinion.” In any case, Joao Cancelo does not seem to speak well of Guardiola, as he continued to lash out at his former coach. “Mr. Guardiola has much more power than I do when he says something. I prefer to keep things to myself and know that I’m telling the truth. “
