He is completely different from the others. There are not many coaches who can say they have changed the fortunes of the clubs they managed. Pep Guardiola achieved that with Barcelona, but especially with Manchester City. His ten years at the English club will be remembered as the period in which the Citizens became the dominant force in English football and, on top of that, European champions. It is precisely that period that Amazon Prime decided to document in a film titled ‘Beautiful Obsession’. It reveals the side that people normally cannot see — the behind-the-scenes stories from Pep's dressing room. There was plenty of drama, including moments when the club's hierarchy began to lose faith in Guardiola.Pep Guardiola and Kyle Walker clashed at Anfield in 2024 after Man City lost 2-0 to Liverpool 👀:🗣️ Walker: "You keep saying my name in every meeting and every f—ing thing, every f—ing meeting, it's my name."🗣️ Pep: "Maybe because you're a captain."🗣️ Walker: "You… pic.twitter.com/5xspygd1Wk— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 18, 2026 To begin with, we go back to September 2025. In the weeks leading up to the Manchester derby against Manchester United, City suffered two consecutive defeats, against Tottenham and Brighton. During that period, Guardiola often asked his players to hug him, and it eventually culminated in a 3-0 victory over their local rivals.“Today's victory comes from the hugs we shared earlier. The hugs weren't strong enough. I tried, but you didn't hug me with the same intensity. I want the hugs to be stronger and last longer. I want you to feel my commitment to you” Pep told one of his players.All guns blazing! Arsenal destroy City in Community ShieldHe also criticized players who failed to celebrate Erling Haaland's goal with enough passion and enthusiasm.“Look at the way you celebrate. We're in this damn business because of that. Do you feel the pressure? F***, that's what matters. It's good that you feel pressure, otherwise we'd all be in the Maldives.”"Why do you love me so much?" – Pep breaks down in emotional City farewellThe Spaniard is well known for losing his temper when his team is not performing well. One such incident occurred during the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. The German side won 2-0, prompting a furious Pep rant in the dressing room.“You all have to have the same mentality. I want you to tell yourselves: 'I'll prove I'm the best. I'll prove to this fing bad coach that I'm better than the others.' You compete against each other, so where was that competition today? I'm sad, disappointed in myself because of the incredibly stupid things I'm trying to do to make you feel safe, protected and confident. I feel like an idiot. I came here at eight in the morning. I spent hours trying to find a way to reach your hearts. When I can't do that, it's frustrating on a personal level. You're giving me nothing back. You know what's going to happen? You'll have another coach. If I see one sad face at the end of the season — I'll kill you. If I see your f***ing faces complaining about the decisions I make, I'll kill you all. Work harder, work better, live better.”Why was Pep missing from Mou's documentary? Because he had a special request…This was not the only time Pep communicated with his players in such a manner. After another defeat, he delivered a similar speech, although this time it sounded as though he was also giving up, aware that the team had become saturated and was running out of energy.“You can lose a game, but I defend you too often. This lack of courage, passion, love and desire to win is unacceptable. When I greet you, you greet me; when I hug you, you hug me. I'm living my life, I'm going through a divorce and my family is far away because I'm here with you. What do I get in return? The f’’’ing performance you're all putting on. It's a disgrace, boys. F’’’, I've had enough of everything. I feel exhausted, empty. I want to give up, I feel lonely. When you play like this, I feel lonely. You won't see me tomorrow. I want you to have two great days off. I'll speak to the media and defend you”."We could feel it" – Gvardiol reveals they knew Guardiola was leavingThe British tabloid The Sun reported that Guardiola admitted to the players during a dressing-room conversation that he had divorced his wife, Cristina Serra. That part also appeared in the documentary.“I want to confess something. I divorced the most beautiful woman on the planet. She is my ex-wife. I love her incredibly, she loves me, but we lost the passion. Football is like that too. You play for something you have inside you, but where is the passion? Whatever you do in life, do it with passion. I don't want good players; I want players who have passion”.##EDITORS_CHOICE##One of the episodes also revealed that chief executive Ferran Soriano and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak exchanged voice messages in which they blamed Guardiola for the defeat to Leverkusen.“I don't think our attitude towards Pep should be too negative. That doesn't work with him. But we shouldn't be too lenient either. This time, the mistake was his” Soriano said in his message.Some time later, Al Mubarak responded:“Changing almost the entire team for such an important game was completely unnecessary. Honestly, I can't talk to him. I didn't speak to Pep yesterday, nor did I send him any messages. I'm very angry. He created completely unnecessary chaos”-##NAJAVA_MECA_9901430##Before his final match in charge of Manchester City, against Aston Villa, he once again spoke about hugs and kisses.“Boys, I'll be brief. On Sunday, it will be my last game as manager of this club. Whether you're playing in the FA Cup against a League One team, at Selhurst Park, Anfield, or against Real Madrid, you need what I had — energy. Deep down, I know I don't have it anymore. I'm leaving with enormous gratitude towards all of you. In a few minutes, the fans will know that I'm leaving. I need your hugs and kisses” Guardiola concluded.
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