Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kyle Walker is set to leave Manchester City after the defender expressed his desire to “explore the option of playing abroad and finishing his career”.
Guardiola confirmed Walker's desire to search for a new experience during his post-match comments after City's 8-0 win over Salford City in the third round of the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The City boss also singled out Salford-born midfielder James McAtee for praise after the 22-year-old scored a second-half hat-trick in the emphatic win.
Jeremy Doku (2), Jack Grealish, Nico O'Reilly and new signing Devin Mbama completed the scoring as City continued their strong start into 2025.
Full time | In the hat 🎩
🩵 8-0 🔴 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/uVvzcCGHIs
– Manchester City (@ManCity) January 11, 2025
But they could soon be without Walker, who was missing from the matchday squad, after his manager said the 34-year-old – who has made more than 200 appearances for the club – has asked to leave the Etihad after eight years.
“Two days ago Kyle (Walker) asked to explore the option of playing abroad and ending his career,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola also revealed that the England international asked about leaving following interest from Bayern Munich after City won the treble in 2023.
“I asked him, the club asked him, 'How important is this?' The city manager said.
“But now he has in mind that he wants to explore to go to another country. For this reason, I prefer to bring in other players who have minds here, that's all.
“He's asking to explore (his options) so it might not happen, we don't know, you never know. Explore the situation and I respect him a lot. I'm more than grateful for what he's done for so many years for us.”
“But he said he wants to explore in his mind and in his heart and he wants to explore. Honestly? I don't know what will happen.”
Hat-trick for James McAtee! ⚽️⚽️⚽️#MCISAL #BBC Football pic.twitter.com/Pg1eILQEzy
– BBC Sport (@BBC Sport) January 11, 2025
Speaking about McAtee’s performance, Guardiola added: “I am very happy for him, he is a special player.
“Scoring a hat-trick is not easy. He started a bit flat, but then he had incredible feeling in front of goal. He has the right rhythm, he changed the rhythm of scoring and I am very happy for him.”
“He's a Manchester City fan, in the academy for many years. He was one of the biggest talents of his generation of Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Liam Delap.
“He played with these players and was always their leader. I'm really happy to have him here with us.”
City hopes to extend its winning streak to four matches when it travels to Brentford in the English Premier League on Tuesday.
