Pep Guardiola knew change was necessary at Manchester City when signing his final contract, a new Amazon Prime docuseries has revealed.
The four-part series, titled A Beautiful Obsession, charts Guardiola's final two years as manager, showing how dressing room rows, forced hugs and executive fallout marked the end of his decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola guided Manchester City to a historic Treble in 2023, including the club's first Champions League title. However, the manager recognised that the squad required extensive rebuilding, stepping down after securing a domestic double and running Arsenal close in the Premier League title race. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca subsequently took over at the club to oversee the continuing squad overhaul.
Tensions began to emerge in November 2024, when Guardiola met chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in Abu Dhabi during the worst run of results in his managerial career. Guardiola offered to step aside rather than force the hierarchy, whom he considered friends, to sack him. Al Mubarak told Guardiola in the documentary that at the time he was actually not sure he was able to convince him to stay, though Guardiola ultimately completed another 18 months in charge.
The documentary highlights how Kevin De Bruyne, described as the club's finest modern-day player, broke down in tears upon learning that City would not renew his contract. A furious dressing room row at Anfield with captain Kyle Walker also signaled the end of the defender's career at the top level.
Dressing room hugs and derby victory
In September 2025, following consecutive losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, Guardiola grew fixated on player camaraderie. He admonished his team at the Amex Stadium for failing to celebrate Erling Haaland's opening goal with enough passion, showing them video clips of training ground goals celebrated with far greater enthusiasm.
Guardiola shouted at his players: "Look, look at you in training. Did you do that in Brighton? Look at you celebrating. We are here in this f****** business for that. Do you feel the pressure? F****** hell, that’s what it is about. It’s nice to feel it otherwise we’re in the Maldives, all of us."
Prior to facing Manchester United, Guardiola ordered his squad to "hug each other for five seconds, so tight." Although met with bemused expressions in the dressing room, the players complied.
Haaland scored twice and Phil Foden added a third as Manchester City defeated Manchester United 3-0. Despite the victory, Guardiola demanded even tighter embraces, telling the team: "The win today comes from the hugs before. The hugs were not tight. I tried and you didn’t hug me back. I want tighter. Tight and more seconds. I want you to feel my vows to you. I am so proud of you guys and that is the start of what I’m telling you will be great season." Days later, before facing Napoli, he showed the squad footage of their derby celebrations set to a Bee Gees soundtrack, telling them: "F*** that is so nice."
Bayer Leverkusen defeat and squad rant
Tensions boiled over in November 2025 when Guardiola made ten changes for a Champions League group fixture against Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium. The rotation backfired as Leverkusen won 2-0. Players including Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Nico Gonzalez struggled to recover their standing under Guardiola afterward.
Following the match, Guardiola delivered an intense tirade in the dressing room. He told the team: "F****** hell guys, everyone has to feel that 'I’m going to show them that I’m the best, I’m going to show this f****** b****** manager than the other guys'. It’s a competition between each other and where was the competition today? I feel sad."
Guardiola expressed deep frustration over his preparation efforts: "I feel disappointed in myself for the incredibly stupid things I try to do to make you safe, secure and confident. I feel f****** stupid. I arrived here at eight o’clock in the morning guys. I stayed hours and hours trying to find something to arrive here in your heart. In your heart. And when I don’t get it, it’s frustrating personally."
He continued: "You don’t give back guys. You know what’s going to happen? You will have another manager. When I see one [sad] f****** face at the end of the season, I kill you. When I see your f****** face complaining for something when I make my decisions, I f****** kill you."
Guardiola added: "Work harder, work better, live better. You can lose games and I defend you many times but it’s unacceptable this lack of courage, passion and love and desire to win. When I say hi, you say hi to me. When I hug you, you hug me. I live my life, my divorce... and my family is away for all of you. What do you give back? The f****** performance you have done, all of you. It’s a disgrace, guys. F****** hell, I am really f****** tired. When I see that, I’m exhausted. Drained. I want to quit. I feel alone. When you play like this, I feel alone. Tomorrow you will not see me. Have a lovely two days. I’m going to the media to defend you."
Hierarchy criticism and European exit
Two days after the Leverkusen defeat, chairman Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano exchanged critical voice notes regarding Guardiola's decisions. Soriano noted: "I think our attitude with Pep should not be too negative. It doesn’t work with him. But it shouldn’t be too kind or accommodating either. This is his mistake this time."
Al Mubarak replied: "To pick an entire new team on a game this important is probably one of the lowest points we’ve had. I can’t speak to him, honestly. I didn’t speak to him yesterday. I didn’t message him. I’m so angry. He’s put a mix in this that is just so unnecessary." The loss contributed to Manchester City facing Real Madrid and exiting Europe before the quarter-finals for a second straight season, leaving City with just one Champions League knockout tie win since their 2023 Treble.
Final speech and departure announcement
In May 2026, two days before the final game of the season, Guardiola gathered staff and players in a packed auditorium at the training ground. Although Daily Mail Sport had previously revealed his summer departure following official notifications in early April, Guardiola had not yet addressed his team directly.
Humming nervously, Guardiola introduced a video montage featuring highlights from his decade in charge, accompanied by a pre-recorded message referencing poet Tony Walsh. The video was prepared to be shown to supporters following that weekend's defeat to Aston Villa.
Guardiola told his squad: "Guys, this will be quick. Sunday will be my last game as manager of this club. The reason is simple: to go to Selhurst Park, Anfield, League One in the FA Cup, Madrid, Madrid, Madrid, to deal with adorable players that we have, you have to have something that I had, the energy. But deep inside, I know I will not have it anymore."
He concluded: "I’m leaving with an incredible gratitude and happiness for all of you. In a few minutes, our fans will know about my departure and before this is released, you deserve to be the first to hear something that I think is better than my words. I need the hugs and kisses. Don’t forget it." Guardiola then stood at the back of the auditorium to observe the reaction of those present. The docuseries A Beautiful Obsession launches on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland on August 19, 2026.
