Former Man City captain Kyle Walker believes the quality and togetherness within City’s squad meant they would still have achieved major success without Pep Guardiola.
Walker spent eight years at City after joining from Tottenham in 2017, making 319 appearances before leaving for Burnley last summer following a loan spell with AC Milan.
City credit Walker with 18 major honours during his time at the Etihad Stadium, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. He was also captain as Guardiola’s side won a fourth successive league title in 2023/24.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Walker reflected on the standards within City’s dressing room and the part they played in the club’s success.
“I think that’s why they’re at Manchester City and why Manchester City were so successful because we had a great manager,” he said.
“I think even if Pep wasn’t there we would have gone on and achieved a lot of things as well because we had a great team and a great togetherness within that.”
Walker reflects on Man City success
Walker has spoken before about City’s move into the post-Guardiola era and also recalled how a phone call from Guardiola convinced him to join City.
His circumstances are very different now. Burnley are bottom of the Championship and without a win in 22 matches, with Walker admitting their struggles have tested him.
“Am I the most talented player? Definitely not,” he said. “I played with many more talented players than me but what I pride myself on is working hard and proving people wrong.
“That’s what hopefully I can prove by coming out and being the voice of the players and hopefully they’re listening to this and they take this on board that I’m not laying down and I’m willing to fight all the way to the very end.”
Walker has played in six Championship games this season and Burnley face Derby County at Turf Moor on Saturday in their final fixture before the international break.
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