- Kyle Walker joined Man City in 2017
- Defender reveals how move came about
- Received phone call from Guardiola himself
Kyle Walker has described the moment which prompted him to pack his bags and make the move to Manchester City.
Before joining Man City, Kyle Walker was no stranger to playing at the highest level of European club football.
Indeed, the right-back had just completed a season where he had represented Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.
In addition to this, Walker made his England international debut in 2011, so he had already recorded some huge career moments.
However, when the now 35-year-old received a phone call from Pep Guardiola, he knew this was going to be one of the biggest highlights he would ever live to see.
Kyle Walker joined Man City due to a call from Pep Guardiola
Speaking to talkSPORT, Walker has revealed how he was abroad playing goal when he received an unexpected phone call.
It was then that Guardiola made it known he wanted to sign Walker – an offer which the Englishman could not possibly refuse.
“I was in Portugal playing golf and he [Pep Guardiola] gave me a call and just said, ‘I’d really like you to be on my team,’” Walker explained.
“[I was] shivering on the phone, walking up and down the garden at the place we were staying in.
“As soon as someone calls you, to take time out, the effort to call you and make sure he wants you on their team, it was a no-brainer.”
Walker did not regret his decision
While Walker enjoyed his time in North London, he was unable to lift a trophy with Spurs, despite reaching the League Cup final in 2015.
But at City, Walker won 17 trophies. This included a Premier League title which was secured in his very first season at the club.
And even after leaving, Walker is still highly regarded by all those associated with the Citizens for everything he achieved at the Etihad Stadium.
Nobody could turn down Guardiola
As a player, when you receive a call from Guardiola, you answer, and do whatever he tells you to do.
That is what Walker did, and the result was that he spent the best part of eight years winning time and time again.
The problem for Man City now is that their new manager is unlikely to have that same effect, no matter who they are.
Enzo Maresca is the most likely candidate to take over, and he is still relatively new to being a manager.
The Italian will need to build up his experience before having the same level of pull in the transfer market.
However, with City winning a domestic double and qualifying for the Champions League, this is a club plenty of players will still want to join, even without Guardiola.
