Pep Guardiola's admission to Man City player he axed – 'You don't know how much I regret it'
Pep Guardiola has told Premier League winning ex-Manchester City star Jesus Navas that he regrets axing him in 2017.
Navas, 39, arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Sevilla in 2013, having been signed by Manuel Pellegrini. He would go on to win the Premier League and two League Cups during his time on the blue side of Manchester.
However, he would only last one full season under Guardiola before returning to Sevilla in the summer of 2017, when his contract at the club expired. Now the World Cup winner is walking away from football, Guardiola reached out to the Spaniard and admitted that letting him go was a huge mistake.
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During a farewell for Navas after his final match for Sevilla, Guardiola appeared in a clip and said: "Thank you for the gift of having spent a year together. You don't know how much I regret letting you go.
“I would have loved for you to stay longer here, but sometimes you make mistakes. Congratulations to all Sevillistas for having had such an extraordinary player and a person who defines Sevillismo.
"For many years to come, Sevillistas, don't let him slip away. Keep him close and with all of you. Farewell."
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Despite the fact that Guardiola is the one who decided Navas could leave, the pacy winger, who was converted into a right-back by Guardiola, was still grateful for his brief time with the City boss. While also thanking Pellegrini, Navas said: "I grew a lot [at City].
"We have Manuel Pellegrini here; I will always be grateful. We enjoyed many titles and I want to thank Guardiola as well; his ideas are incredible; as a coach, he is fantastic."
Navas made 183 appearances for City, contributing eight goals and 35 assists. It's not the first time Guardiola has expressed regret about not holding onto Navas, who earned 56 international caps for Spain.
Before City faced off against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup last year, Guardiola was asked about Navas' impressive displays for Sevilla since departing the club. It was at that moment, he admitted that not offering him a new deal was a big mistake.
During the press conference, Guardiola said: "Maybe now I’d have extended Jesus’ contract. It was an old team in that period, lots of players past 30. In that year a lot of changes. Incredible to see him at 37, 38, how committed he is to Sevilla.”
Navas retires having won the World Cup, two European Championships and four Europa League titles, among many other prestigious honours.
