Amazon documentary reveals Guardiola-Walker clash during Manchester City turmoil

A new Amazon Prime documentary has revealed a dressing-room confrontation between Pep Guardiola and then-captain Kyle Walker during one of Manchester City's most difficult periods under the Spanish manager. The Guardian, carrying reporting from PA Media, says the exchange appears in A Beautiful Obsession, a four-part series covering Guardiola's final two seasons at the club.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgDjK227cvY

The confrontation followed a defeat at Liverpool during City's poor run in the autumn of 2024. According to the report, Walker objected to Guardiola repeatedly naming him in team meetings and said he felt unfairly singled out. Walker, who had been elected captain by his teammates, also claimed the manager had not wanted him to hold the role.

Guardiola responded that Walker was taking the criticism too personally. The documentary also shows the manager becoming emotional while explaining his decision to extend his contract during the slump. He told the players he had stayed because he wanted to remain with them and fight through the problems, rather than leave while results were deteriorating.

City lost nine times and recorded only one victory across a 13-game stretch in that period, The Guardian reported. One public sign of the pressure came after City surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League, when Guardiola appeared with scratches on his face. He later stood down after 10 years at the Etihad Stadium and 20 trophies.

The series records another angry dressing-room address after City lost 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in November 2025. Guardiola had made 10 changes for the match and, after the defeat, criticized the team's courage, passion and desire before saying he wanted to quit. The documentary presents that outburst as another example of the strain surrounding his final seasons.

The report also describes released voice notes between chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano after the Leverkusen loss. Khaldoon called it one of the club's lowest points, while Soriano discussed the appropriate response. The documentary includes boardroom talks about transfer policy and Kevin De Bruyne's disappointment when told his contract would not be renewed. A Beautiful Obsession is scheduled to launch on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland on August 19, 2026.