Former Premier League star Gael Clichy has revealed the tough rules imposed by Pep Guardiola during his time at Manchester City

Gael Clichy, who played for City between 2011 and 2017, has opened up about the strict regime implemented by Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. The ex-footballer, who won two titles during his time at City, disclosed that Guardiola would ban players from training if they were two kilos over their target weight. Clichy admitted that while some important players were exempt from this rule, others had to sit out for up to two weeks.

Guardiola's no-nonsense approach to maintain high standards

Guardiola, who arrived at City after successful stints with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, wasted no time in asserting his authority. With five titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League under his belt at City, Guardiola's strict rule regarding weight was aimed at keeping his players in top condition. This approach was a departure from the norm, as other coaches often allowed overweight players to train. Clichy's revelation sheds light on the meticulous standards set by Guardiola.

Reflecting on his time with Guardiola

Clichy spent his last season at City under Guardiola's guidance and despite having mixed feelings about that year, he expressed gratitude for the lessons he learned from the esteemed coach. The former Premier League star revealed that he played more games under Guardiola in one season than with any other coach. However, Clichy admitted that he would have liked to spend more than just one season working with the Spanish tactician.

After leaving City, Clichy continued his football career with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir and Swiss outfit Sevette before retiring in October. He now serves as the assistant boss for France U21.