Oleksandr Zinchenko became an integral part of Manchester City’s success during the early years of Pep Guardiola’s tenure, transforming from a central midfielder into a reliable left-back option. After joining City from Russian club FC Ufa in 2016, Zinchenko was initially seen as a young talent likely to be developed elsewhere or sold. However, after a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven, he seized his chance in the first team, impressing Guardiola with his composure and skill on the ball.
In his new book, *Believe*, Zinchenko reflects on a key moment when he clashed with Guardiola during a training session. After making a single mistake, Zinchenko spoke up, prompting an unexpected reaction from the manager.
“Out loud I said, ‘Mister! I just made one wrong pass, you know?’ And his reaction was incredible,” Zinchenko recalled. Guardiola sarcastically responded, “‘Oh, OK, sorry, sorry, Mr. Zinchenko. Thank you, everyone inside.’ He then walked off, ending the session. I knew I was in trouble,” Zinchenko continued.
Though he realized he was in the wrong, Zinchenko decided not to apologize immediately, understanding that Guardiola’s focus was on the upcoming match. However, he made sure to apologize after the game.
Despite the incident, Zinchenko maintains a strong relationship with Guardiola and his former teammates at City. They often reconnect when Arsenal and Manchester City face off in the Premier League. In his book, Zinchenko also revealed that Guardiola personally called him after City’s 2023 UEFA Champions League and Treble triumph, thanking him for his contributions to the club during his time there.
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