When Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016, he didn't mince his words to Gael Clichy regarding his playing future.
The French full-back had enjoyed five seasons at the Etihad following his switch from Arsenal.
Clichy, ultimately, spent one more season at City, playing under the Spanish boss. But at the start of the 2016/17 season, he was made well aware of his standing with Guardiola, who reiterated that his career was behind him.
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"Your career is behind you now," Clichy revealed to Guardian.
And that wasn't it.
Guardiola also told Clichy: "But you have a duty, every day, every session, every behaviour you have; young players are looking up to you and even if you don't feel like a special player, you've done so many years in England, you've won trophies, you are somebody and those young players will look up to you and behave like you are behaving."
Despite the brutal exchange, Clichy savours his time with Guardiola and says he's the closest thing to a footballing genius.
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"I was lucky for the last 12 months to work with Guardiola and often you think of someone being a genius of football; but if someone is close, he is the one.
"I am not saying he's the best, as other managers have had success with different methods, but he certainly shows you a different way of feeling and seeing football. It was a major shock."
In the summer of 2017, Guardiola identified the full-back positions which needed strengthening.
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He subsequently drafted in Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, while offloading Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabeta, Aleksandar Kolarov as well as the aforementioned Clichy.
It ended Clichy's 14-year spell in England's top flight. He eventually secured a move to Turkey's Super Lig by joining Istanbul Basaksehir.
What's your take on Clichy's welcoming from Guardiola? Let us know.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Pep Guardiola