Claudio Bravo Lifts Lid on Strained Relationship With Pep Guardiola But Denies Man City Exit Rumours

Manchester City's out of favour goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has hinted at his strained relationship with manager Pep Guardiola, but the 34-year-old has insisted that he is not looking for the exit at the Etihad Stadium.

The Chile international has featured predominantly on the substitute bench this season following the summer arrival of Ederson, limiting his starting appearances to the Carabao Cup; a competition the stopper has excelled in after two back-to-back penalty shoot-out heroics, first against Wolves and then against Leicester on Tuesday. 

Catherine Ivill/GettyImages

Bravo saved the final penalty-kick from Riyad Mahrez to spark wild celebrations amongst the away supporters, with his teammates and coaching staff quickly racing over to join in. However, when Guardiola embraced the stopper from behind Bravo's jubilation quickly turned into a vacant stance.

According to Goal, the relationship between the two is becoming increasingly distant. The turning point was said to be following Bravo's appearance against Huddersfield in the FA Cup last season after Willy Caballero had usurped him in the league.

Guardiola had then congratulated his keeper for keeping a clean sheet against the Terriers only to be informed by Bravo that he had not signed for City to play in such games.

After his heroics against the Foxes, Bravo admitted that his relationship with his manager was anything but smooth sailing following questions over the on-field embrace, he said: "Well, it is what it is.

"He is grateful for the two penalty shoot-outs in which it was my turn to help the team, but other than that there is nothing else to say."

As a result of the unrest the Chile international has been linked with a move away from City, with Argentine side River Plate a speculated destination, but Bravo revealed he has settled in England with his family.

He added about his eventual retirement: "I have a very clear picture. There has been stuff about River or I don't know where, today there was an article that I was already preparing to return [to South America]... I think there’s a long way to go for that.

"I think life is not only about football, life involves a lot more, I have a family to consider, they are living in Manchester, we are thrilled that the kids are learning the language perfectly.

"These are things that we consider as a family, setting aside whether I'm playing or not. It's all about being calm, to keep working, keep doing my job when I’m called upon, and being patient. In that sense I'm calm, at my age I’m not going crazy, as I said in life there are many things more important than football.”