Former Ivorian star Emmanuel Eboue has accused Manchester City gaffer Pep Guardiola of “killing” the career of his compatriot Yaya Toure.
The former Barcelona man left the Etihad team at the end of last term at the end of his contract and had a burst up with Guardiola.
Guardiola later denied disrespecting Africans as Toure had claimed.
However, while defending his “brother” Toure, Eboue said, “As a player, there is a time you completely cannot work with a coach and because of your future, you must go.
“It was evident Pep Guardiola did not like my brother Yaya right from the Barcelona days.
“It is the best decision for Yaya to get away from Guardiola’s territory because he was killing his career as a footballer.
“I think Yaya’s last one year has been hell because he was not playing enough. For a professional footballer that is very terrible.”
He added that, “Sometimes it’s not all about the money. When your relationship as a player is not good with the manager and it does not seem like it will improve, it is always better to move elsewhere.
“Yaya is a great player and leader and I think he still has some years to continue playing at the highest level. He is the kind of player who can turn things round and he always wants to win.”