10 amazing players sold by Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all-time in football, if not the greatest. At the Camp Nou, the Spaniard created one of the greatest teams of all time. Under his leadership, the Catalan giants have won 14 Silverwares in four seasons, which included two UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga titles.

At Bayern, though he was not able to win the European SIlverware, he led them to three Bundesliga titles and two DFB Pokal titles. He took the job at Manchester City in 2016 and won the Premier League title in his second season.

Throughout his managerial career, Pep Guardiola has worked with some of the greatest players in the world. He has made some stunning signings in the transfer market like Gerard Pique, Dani Alves, Robert Lewandowski, Javier Mascherano, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, and many more. Also, he has sold some world-class players during his time at Barcelona, Bayern, and Manchester City.

On that note, let's take a look at the 10 amazing players sold by Pep Guardiola.

#10 Yaya Toure

The 35 year old Ivorian international is one of the best midfielders that the Premier League has ever witnessed. A typical box-to-box midfielder, Toure greatest assets are his vision, tackling, strength, ball control, marauding runs from midfield into opponents box, and passing range.

Touré has played 118 games for Barcelona and left the club when he was only 27. He left the club in 2010 as Pep Guardiola preferred to play Sergio Busquets in the defensive midfield role. His relationship with Guardiola wasn’t great either and he eventually left the club.

Manchester City benefited from the deal as they paid only €30 million for a world-class midfielder. Yaya Toure went on to become one of the greatest midfielders at the Etihad and lifted three Premier League titles.

Here is what Barcelona missed ever since his departure. Toure's Premier League stats for Manchester City.

229 games

311 tackles won

302 take-ons completed

281 chances created

188 interceptions

59 goals

32 assists

#9 Mario Gomez

Borussia Dortmund v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Final

Mario Gomez is regarded as one of the greatest strikers to have ever played in the Bundesliga. The German international joined Bayern Munich in 2009 and went on to play four seasons at the Allianz Arena. He was a prolific goal scorer for Bayern with 113 goals in his 174 appearances for the club.

His last season at Bayern was hampered by injuries and in his absence, Mario Mandzukic played well as a striker. Also, Pep Guardiola had a list of strikers in his mind when he arrived at the club and Gomez was not in his plans.

He was sold to Fiorentino and then he moved to Turkey with Besiktas. He led Besiktas to the Turkish Super Lig title with 28 league goals. His superb form for Besiktas has earned him a move to Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. He is currently playing for VfB Stuttgart.

#8 Xherdan Shaqiri

He was regarded as one of Europe's premier young talents after his stunning exploits with Basel as a teenager. Bayern Munich signed Xherdan Shaqiri in 2012 when he was just 20. Though he made 26 appearances in his debut season, Pep Guardiola arrival did not work well for him. Despite his great skill sets, he was still young and struggled for consistency.

The German tabloid Bild claimed that "Shaqiri was not intelligent enough for Guardiola’s type of football and the coach persisted in his selections of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben despite their advancing years."

He was only 23 when he left Bayern and went on to play brilliantly for Stoke City in the Premier League. His stunning form has resulted in a move to Liverpool this July.

#7 Samir Nasri

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

Samir Nasri is one of the finest players to have played in the Premier League. A technically gifted player, Nasri is known for his vision, ball control, speed, and versatility. He was exceptional for Arsenal and that led to his Manchester City move.

Though he was brilliant in his first four seasons at the club, he struggled during the 2015/16 season. The Frenchman left Manchester City on loan in August in search of minutes on the field. Though he returned a year later in 2017, Guardiola has already made his move in the transfer market and bought young players like Leroy Sane.

Pep Guardiola praised his qualities, but also said, "He knows the situation, we have a lot of midfield players, so we're going to see”. He later left City to join Antalyaspor.

#6 Mario Mandzukic

Mandzukic is one of those players whose career flourished with age. Even after he scored 18 goals during Pep Guardiola’s first season at Bayern, he was sold to Atletico Madrid. Mandzukic criticized Pep Guardiola after leaving Bayern and told that the manager did not treat him with respect.

Mandzukic said, “Guardiola disappointed me because he didn’t treat me with respect and it was twice as good when Jupp Heynckes was there. Would I sit down with Guardiola for a coffee? That is something that’s not going to happen. In my professional life I don’t have to like everyone but if I feel a negative energy coming from a person then I try to avoid them.”

Mandzukic later joined Juventus and won three consecutive Serie A titles. He was exceptional for the Italian giants and played a huge role in their recent success. Mandzukic also led Croatia to the finals of the 2018 World Cup.

#5 Bastian Schweinsteiger

One of the biggest decisions that Guardiola has ever made in the transfer market. One of the best central midfielders of our generation, Schweinsteiger was sold to Manchester during the summer of 2015. The German international was a legendary figure at the Allianz Arena and the decision to sell him wasn’t an easy one for Pep Guardiola.

Schweinsteiger played a huge role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup success, but, injuries played a big part in his 2014/15 season. Pep bought Arturo Vidal to play in the midfield and Schweinsteiger was deemed surplus to requirements.

After his departure, Guardiola said, "Unfortunately, during the last three years, Schweinsteiger was never in good condition." He also added, "he is going to play really good there (at United). I really hope that is going to happen.”

#4 Ronaldinho

The Brazilian legend is widely considered as one of the greatest footballers to have played the game. He has scored 94 goals in 207 appearances for the Catalan giants and led them to two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League titles. However, Pep Guardiola sold Ronaldinho in 2008 when he took charge of the club.

Though Ronaldinho’s last season at the club was his worst in Barcelona colors, he was only 28 and at the peak of his career. Though it was said that Pep Guardiola did not like his off-field life and decided to ship him off elsewhere, Ronaldinho himself quashed the rumors and said, “I was the one who decided to leave Barcelona in 2008, not Pep Guardiola."

Ronaldinho had a couple of great season with Milan and also led them to a Serie A title.

#3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Barcelona v Inter Milan - UEFA Champions League

Ibrahimovic’s troubled career at the Camp Nou lasted just one year. Barcelona allowed Eto’o to join Inter as a part of the deal and paid €40 million more for his services. Though it started well, things went south half-way through the season. He scored 11 goals in his first 14 games and five in his next 16.

Speaking to Sky Italy, Zlatan said, "The first six months were perfect, then the manager changed system, tactics and it didn't work for me.”

The pair had a discussion and it did not go well. Zlatan was benched and was rarely used in the starting lineup. He also added, “ Pep stopped talking to me, or looking at me. I go into a room and he walks out of it. He was not a bad person, but the most immature I've had because a man solves his problems."

Arguably one of the greatest strikers of the game, Zlatan has scored 436 goals so far in his top-flight career. He is currently playing in MLS with LA Galaxy.

#2 Samuel Eto'o

FC Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League

Samuel Eto’o led Barcelona to a treble during Pep Guardiola’s first season at the Camp Nou. With 32 goals from 52 appearances, he was one of their best players that season. However, Pep Guardiola sold him immediately to Inter Milan after the treble success and replaced him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In the end, the swap deal turned out to be a disaster for the Spaniard.

Samuel Eto'o is easily one of the best strikers to have played for the Catalan giants. He had scored 130 goals in 199 games during his first 5 years tenure at the club. He has led them to three La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and one Copa del Rey title. To add insult to injury, Eto’o went on to win a treble with Inter Milan the next season.

#1 Toni Kroos

Real Madrid CF v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg

Toni Kroos is one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment. He was phenomenal for Bayern Munich under Jupp Heynckes and led them to a treble in 2013. One year after Pep Guardiola’s arrival, Toni Kroos left for the La Liga giants, Real Madrid. He failed to agree on a contract with Bayern and was sold for €25 million in 2014.

The German international went on to lift three consecutive UEFA Champions League title at the Santiago Bernabeu. A pass master, Kroos is regarded highly for his vision, passing accuracy, and ability to create chances for his teammates. Kroos also led Germany to World Cup success in 2014. Pep’s decision to let him go is one of the biggest mistakes of his managerial career.

Edited by Shambhu Ajith