Kyle Walker, who is currently in his sixth season with City, nearly left for Bayern Munich in the summer. But after speaking with manager Pep Guardiola, he decide to stay. Walker thought about leaving after City won the treble last season because he was no longer the team’s first-choice right-back last year. He also didn’t play in the victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
The 33-year-old, served as captain in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence due to injury. Kyle Walker is now ready to sign a new term through 2026 and demonstrate his enduring significance to City.
Walker continued by acknowledging that he was tempted to sign with Bayern. But he ultimately decided to stay with City, with the length of the contract on offer also playing a role in his choice. The defending Premier League champions are typically hesitant to give long-term contracts to players beyond 30, but they appear to have made an exception for Walker.
Walker disclosed how he almost decided to leave City
Kyle Walker revealed how near he was to walking away, saying
“I had to do what was right for me and my future and that was whichever club gave me the most years. It’s my seventh season here and I feel like one of the old ones – there’s me, Kevin, John [Stones], Bernardo and Eddy [Ederson] from the first couple of seasons when Pep came in. I love the place, I’ve experienced things I only dreamt of here – especially last season – so why would you want to leave a club like this?”
He continued saying
“It wasn’t like I was going to a worse club, because Bayern is a massive club, and seeing what Harry [Kane] is doing there and will do, it wasn’t a step down. But it was just about which club gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level. It was close [joining Bayern]. But in football, things happen, things can turn. It wasn’t meant to be. Would I have enjoyed the experience?”
Kyle Walker further added
“Of course I would have done. But this club is a great club and you can’t under- estimate what this club has done in the last six or seven years. Why should I walk away if I’m going to get enough game-time that’s right for me? That’s all I want”
Kyle Walker reveals how Guardiola saved him from leaving City
Kyle Walker significantly contributed to City’s treble-winning campaign the previous year before facing a decision about whether to take on a fresh challenge in Germany. He apparently reached an agreement with Bayern over personal terms. But after dinner with Guardiola, whom Kyle Walker attributes for persuading him to stay, he ultimately made the decision to stay in Manchester.
Speaking to The Times, Kyle Walker said
“I have a really good relationship with Pep and he was kind enough to invite me out for food. He paid the bill, for once! It was good to know his plans for the future and for this season and what he wants to do.”
Walker further added saying
“Being one of the senior members, and standing in the captaincy, it was important to get Pep’s views and put my view of what the lads feel for the season coming forward. It was close but in football things can happen, decisions can be made, things can turn. It wasn’t meant to be.”
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