Pep Guardiola breaks his own strict managerial rule for first time ever after admitting he was unhappy

Pep Guardiola has broken his own strict managerial rule for the first time in his career after "not liking" what happened at Manchester City last season.

After winning the previous four titles, City failed to defend the Premier League in the 2024/25 season and lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace.

Having experienced the worst run in his coaching career, Guardiola managed to steer City to a third place finish which secured Champions League football.

City spent around £172 million on four new recruits in the January transfer window and wasted no time in strengthening again this summer, wrapping up moves for Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Marcus Bettinelli for just over £100 million.

But ahead of City's first game of the Club World Cup, Guardiola has elected already to make a significant change to the squad.

The Catalan has adopted an approach where he has allowed his players select to the captains who make up the leadership group.

Kyle Walker was the permanent captain going into the last two campaigns but was loaned out to AC Milan in January after a poor run of form.

Kyle Walker struggled as Manchester City captain. Image: Getty

He is set to leave City permanently for Everton and the man who inherited the armband, Kevin De Bruyne, has joined Napoli on a free transfer after an emotional send-off.

Pep Guardiola overrules Man City players ahead of new season

There is now a four-man leadership group in place, with Bernardo Silva at the front of it as City's new permanent captain in the final year of his contract.

Rodri, Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias are also in the mix but Guardiola moved to overrule his players, taking away their voting rights and instead picking the captains himself.

"I am the manager, and for the first time in my career, I decided who will be my captains," Guardiola said.

"I didn't like what happened last season, and I decided this season who will represent the team..."

"I decided this season, sometimes I want to be the boss... And this season I decided to do it. So I chose the four captains, and at the end of the tour, this [Club] World Cup, maybe we'll choose one or two more..."

The appointment of Silva as skipper is a clear indication that he will remain at the Etihad Stadium, but the inclusion of Haaland amongst the captains is particularly interesting.

The Norwegian has worn the armband on occasion and after a record-breaking contract committing his future until 2034, Guardiola believes Haaland will learn from senior professionals to become a great leader.

Guardiola added: "Well, first Erling Haaland is so young, but he has to start to learn what it means to be a captain, because he will be here hopefully many, many years! Sooner or later, he will take that position as first one.

"When you have Bernardo [Silva], Ruben [Dias], Rodri plus [Ilkay] Gundogan - an unbelievable captain in the year of the Treble - he will learn! And especially I took it [the decision] because he's incredibly respected, an important figure.

"But what's important for me is I have the feeling thinking about the future of this club, he has to start to learn what it means to be a captain, thinking what is best for the team. Captaincy, at the end, is complicated sometimes, but sometimes it's so simple - you have to put the team, your mates, the club always in front of you... ALWAYS! All the time! You have to ask all the time, 'What is best for the team?' When you decide what is best for the team, you never make a mistake - never, ever. And this what captains have to do.

"And I think Bernardo has been an incredible figure, nine years here, no injuries, always in bad moments made a step up, an example on the pitch, and when he has to say something to me as a manager, or the players, he says it because it's the best for the club. And Ruben, it's not necessary [to say] what he's been, Rodri the same.

"They're persons that I think will guide the new players, because there will be problems in this path, always it happens, but it's more than fine."

City are in Club World Cup action on Wednesday when they take on Moroccan side Wydad AC in Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.