Manchester City icon Yaya Toure has launched a stunning fresh attack on Pep Guardiola, reigniting their long-standing and bitter feud by labelling the celebrated manager a 'snake'.
The Roots of the Rift: Barcelona and Busquets
The animosity between the former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder and the legendary coach dates back to 2010. At the Nou Camp, Guardiola, then in charge of Barcelona, made the ruthless decision to promote Sergio Busquets from the B team into the holding midfield role in his famed 4-3-3 system. This move effectively ended Toure's time at the club.
Toure started just nine matches in his final season with Barcelona, often finding himself sidelined. He was subsequently sold to Manchester City, where he would go on to enjoy a glittering eight-year spell, becoming a club legend.
A Reunion at Manchester City and Public Fallout
The pair's paths crossed again in 2016 when Guardiola was appointed manager of Manchester City. History repeated itself as Guardiola once more relegated Toure to a bit-part role at the Etihad Stadium. This demotion led to a public outburst from the player's agent, Dimitri Seluk, who fiercely criticised Guardiola's treatment of his client.
Although Seluk later apologised for his comments, the damage was done. Guardiola did not offer Toure a route back into his plans, and the Ivorian midfielder departed the club in May 2018.
Toure's Explosive 'Snake' Allegation
Now 42, Toure has shown he has not moved on from the conflict. In a recent appearance on the ZACK YouTube channel, he delivered his most incendiary criticism yet. "I don't see a man, I see a snake," Toure stated bluntly.
He recounted a pivotal moment from his Barcelona days, alleging: "The Barcelona coach calls me back then and says, 'You have to come back, it's important.' My wife says to me, 'Are you going to listen to that nonsense? He treated you like dirt, and now he wants you to stay, and you're going to stay? Let's go to Manchester, my brother'."
Toure credited his wife's intuition, saying she warned him about Guardiola's character. "She would tell me about him. 'Sheytan, he's not a man, he's wicked.' She sees him as a negative person," he revealed.
A Glittering Career Despite the Discord
Despite the hostile relationship with one of football's most successful managers, Yaya Toure's career achievements remain extraordinary. His trophy haul includes:
- Three Premier League titles
- Two LaLiga crowns
- The UEFA Champions League
- Five domestic cup trophies
On an individual level, his dominance was recognised with the African Footballer of the Year award for four consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2014. He also captained the Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2015, cementing his legacy as one of the continent's greatest ever players.
The latest comments ensure that one of football's most enduring personal conflicts shows no sign of fading, with Toure's raw feelings offering a stark contrast to the professional success they both shared.
