Pep Guardiola has admitted he was wrong to allow a World Cup winner to leave Manchester City after just one season under his management at the Etihad
Pep Guardiola has confessed his regret over not extending Jesus Navas' contract at Manchester City.
Navas, 39, who made the switch to City in 2013 from Sevilla, bagged a Premier League title and a pair of League Cups during his stint at the Etihad. Yet, he bid farewell to the club in 2017 after a solitary season with Guardiola at the helm.
Post-City, Navas made a triumphant return on a free transfer to Sevilla, reinventing himself as a right-back. Approaching his 40th birthday, Navas has hung up his boots at the club where it all began. His glittering trophy cabinet also boasts a World Cup, two European Championships and four Europa Leagues. In the midst of his retirement festivities, Guardiola reached out, confessing to the adaptable right-midfielder that he made a mistake in letting him leave.
Guardiola wrote: "Thank you for the gift of having spent a year together. You don't know how much I regret letting you go," reports the Mirror.
"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."
Despite being the one shown the door, the seasoned pro voiced his appreciation for the chance to collaborate with Guardiola, reflecting on his development during his time at City. 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' stint in Manchester saw him make 183 appearances, scoring eight times and delivering 35 assists. Guardiola, reflecting on the past, conceded last year that perhaps Navas was a player he should have fought harder to keep on the team. Guardiola reminisced about the ex-winger last year ahead of City's game against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, expressing his second thoughts by saying: "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."