'Sometimes you make mistakes' – Pep Guardiola 'regrets' letting Manchester City star leave

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he made a mistake (Picture: Getty)

Pep Guardiola admits he ‘regrets’ letting Jesus Navas leave Manchester City and says it was ‘mistake’ not to keep him at the Etihad Stadium for longer.

Navas made 183 appearances for Man City following a £15m move from Sevilla in 2013 and helped the club win their second Premier League title in 2014.

Guardiola briefly tried to reconvert Navas into a right-back in his first season at the Etihad before sanctioning his departure following the 2016-17 campaign.

Navas returned to his boyhood club Sevilla and re-established himself as a legend at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, lifting four Europa League trophies across his two spells at the club.

The Spain international announced he would finally be ending his long association with Sevilla at the end of 2024, though president Jose Maria del Nido Carrasco offered him a lifetime contract which allows him to take on any role of his choice with the club going forward.

Shortly before his emotional retirement, Navas became the oldest goalscorer in Sevilla’s history at the age of 38 and 298 days.

The veteran played his final match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium last month, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd and hugs from his teammates as he left the pitch in tears.

Jesus Navas made 183 appearances for Man City (Picture: Getty)

Guardiola appeared in a farewell video that was shown to Navas after his final match for Sevilla and admitted he ‘regretted’ letting him leave Manchester City.

‘Thank you for the gift of having spent a year together,’ the City boss said. ‘You don’t know how much I regret letting you go. 

'I would have loved for you to stay longer here, but sometimes you make mistakes. 

Navas ended his long spell with Sevilla last month (Picture: Getty)

'Congratulations to all Sevillistas for having had such an extraordinary player and a person who defines Sevillismo. 

'For many years to come, Sevillistas, don’t let him slip away. Keep him close and with all of you. Farewell.' 

While Guardiola was essentially responsible for ending Navas’ Premier League career, the player thanked the legendary manager following his Etihad exit.

‘I grew a lot [at Manchester City],’ he said. ‘We have Manuel Pellegrini here; I will always be grateful.

‘We enjoyed many titles and I want to thank Guardiola as well; his ideas are incredible; as a coach, he is fantastic.’

Navas also enjoyed a successful international career, helping Spain win the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championship trophies.

The affection Sevilla fans have for Navas only increased after he donated his playing salary for his final months before his retirement to the team’s charity foundation.

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