Documentary Reveals Guardiola Threatened to Quit After 2-0 Leverkusen Loss

A new Amazon Prime series details Pep Guardiola's worst run at Manchester City, including a stretch of nine losses in 13 games during autumn 2024.

Manchester City endured a period of nine losses and just one victory across 13 fixtures during the autumn of 2024, marking the worst statistical run of Pep Guardiola’s tenure. The Spaniard, who departed the Etihad Stadium at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season with 20 trophies over a decade, displayed visible physical distress by scratching his face after his side blew a 3-0 lead to finish in a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord. The fly-on-the-wall Amazon Prime documentary "A Beautiful Obsession" captures the internal friction following a defeat at Liverpool, where then-captain Kyle Walker confronted his manager over being singled out in team meetings.

During the dressing room exchange, Walker—who was elected skipper by his teammates—argued that Guardiola did not want him in the leadership role. The manager countered by stating the defender was taking tactical critiques too personally. Amid the slump, Guardiola addressed the squad in a broken voice, clarifying that his contract extension was motivated by a desire to fight alongside the players rather than financial gain. He challenged the group to tell him directly if he was the primary problem, asserting he would not stay simply to avoid the appearance of running away from a difficult situation.

Dressing Room Ultimatum After Leverkusen Defeat

In November 2025, internal tensions peaked following a 2-0 Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen. Guardiola had implemented 10 changes to the starting lineup for the match, a decision he later admitted backfired. In the immediate aftermath, he labeled the performance a "disgrace" and criticized the squad for a perceived lack of courage, passion, and desire. The manager threatened to resign, describing himself as exhausted and drained while highlighting the personal sacrifices of his life, family, and divorce to work for the team.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak noted that Guardiola suggested leaving approximately 100 times during his ten-year stay. However, the Leverkusen result prompted specific concern within the hierarchy. Leaked voice notes between Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano described the loss as one of the lowest points in club history. While the chairman expressed significant anger, Soriano advised a balanced response that was neither overly aggressive nor too accommodating toward the struggling squad.

Boardroom Decisions and De Bruyne’s Future

The four-part documentary series provides a detailed look at Manchester City's transfer policy and internal contract negotiations. It documents the moment Kevin De Bruyne was informed that his long-term contract would not be renewed, capturing the veteran midfielder's disappointment at the decision. These boardroom discussions occurred as the club navigated the final two seasons of the Guardiola era, which concluded in the summer of 2026.

Guardiola’s emotional volatility during the 2024-2025 period contrasted with his overall success at the club. Despite the friction with Walker and the threat to quit in late 2025, he remained in his post to complete his 10-year cycle. The footage confirms that the manager felt his players were not giving back the same level of commitment he invested in the project, leading to the explosive confrontation in the dressing room where he questioned their love for the game.