New Inter Milan Star Manuel Akanji Slams Pep Guardiola As Swiss International ‘Can’t Accept’ Manchester City Exit

Manuel Akanji has vented his frustrations towards Pep Guardiola after the Swiss international left Manchester City to join Inter Milan on loan.

Why Did Manuel Akanji Leave Manchester City?

The former Borussia Dortmund player completed a year-long loan deal to the Nerazzurri in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, after losing his place in the Manchester City starting eleven.

After joining the Cityzens in September 2022, Akanji became a pivotal member of Pep Guardiola’s side, winning the treble in his opening season and making 136 appearances for the club across three seasons.

However, the beginning of the 2025/26 season appeared to bring an end to Akanji’s time in Manchester, as the defender did not play a single minute in City’s opening three matches.

This gave Akanji no choice but to look for a way-out of Manchester for the 2025/26 season, especially with the 2026 World Cup taking place in just a few months.

Eventually, the 30-year-old found a new place to call home and completed a loan move to Inter Milan, as Cristian Chivu made the final tweaks before the summer deadline.

The deal includes a €15 million option to buy which will become an obligation if Inter lift the Serie A title, something Nerazzurri supporters will be hoping for after a poor season in 2024/25.

Akanji recently spoke about his move to Inter, calling the Nerazzurri the biggest club in Italy, but the Swiss international was also disappointed with his departure from Manchester City.

Akanji said: “I still find it hard to accept that I’m no longer part of the City family, although in some ways I still feel like I am. My family and I felt very comfortable in Manchester and we will certainly miss life there.

“I’m very happy that everything worked out well. I really like Inter. I’m on loan at Inter, so theoretically it’s possible to return to Manchester.”

The Inter Milan loanee was also critical of Guardiola’s approach to the 2025/26 season, as the Manchester City boss only intended to use four centre-backs in each matchday squad.

The Swiss defender said: “You’ll have to ask him.  He made it clear to the six centre-backs that two would play and two would be on the bench. And that it would be difficult for the rest. I didn’t like hearing that because I always expect to be on the pitch.”

Will Manuel Akanji Start For Inter Milan?

Manuel Akanji left the Premier League in hopes of finding regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup and will be looking to earn a place in Cristian Chivu’s starting lineup.

Currently, Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi and Yann Bisseck are the leading options for Chivu’s back-three formation and Akanji will need to force himself into the defense.

Inter’s season has not got off to a great start so far, as the Nerazzurri suffered a 2-1 defeat to Udinese at the San Siro despite beating Torino 5-0 on the opening day.

Chivu is already looking towards possible additions in January, as Inter are reportedly interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic who is available on a pre-contract in the January transfer window.

But before the blue and black half of Milan can focus on new additions they must amend their recent struggles in Serie A and Akanji could play a vital part in that.

The Swiss defender will likely take the place of Yann Bisseck on the right-hand side of the back-three and could become a prominent member under Cristian Chivu.