“I knew I was in trouble” – Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals moment he shouted at Pep Guardiola in Manchester City training | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has reflected on the moment he shouted back at Pep Guardiola during a Manchester City training session, writing in his new book.

Zinchenko established himself as a vital component of Manchester City’s success during the earlier years of Pep Guardiola’s reign, transitioning from a central midfielder into a strong option at left-sided full-back.

Having signed for the club from Russian side FC Ufa in 2016, Oleksandr Zinchenko was widely viewed as a developing talent that was more likely to be sold on for profit or developed elsewhere within the City Football Group.

However, having been granted the opportunity to impress within the City first-team following a season-loan at PSV Eindhoven, Zinchenko took the role of a left-back by storm and delighted Guardiola with his ability on the ball in particular.

Writing in his new book ‘Believe’, Zinchenko has looked back on one moment when he shouted back at Pep Guardiola during a Manchester City training session, and was forced to apologise having been subsequently left on the bench for the next game.

“Out loud I said, ‘Mister! Like, I just did one wrong pass, you know?’ And his reaction was incredible,” Zinchenko revealed.

“‘Oh, OK, sorry, sorry, Mr Zinchenko. Sorry,’ said Pep. ‘OK, guys, thank you, everyone inside.’ And he went in, walked to the changing room. Training over, all because I talked back. I knew I was in trouble,” he continued.

“Listen, first of all, I was not right. I understood straight away, but it would have been silly if I went right to his office and apologised.

“It was game day minus one and I knew his head was totally on the game plan. But I did apologise after the game.”

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s relationship with both Manchester City players and Pep Guardiola remains strong to this day, and the collective often find time to catch-up when the two clubs meet in the Premier League.

Zinchenko has also revealed in his book that Pep Guardiola made a personal phone call to Guardiola the night of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League and Treble victory in 2023, thanking him for his contributions to the club over the years leading up to that moment.