Manuel Akanji has explained why he joined Italian club Inter on a season-long loan from Manchester City this summer, Softfootball reports.
The Switzerland international has enjoyed great seasons under Pep Guardiola paying regularly under the Spaniard since he joined the club from Bundesliga outfit, Borussia Dortmund. However, Akanji knew it was time to go after Guardiola informed the center backs in the squad that there were not going to be anyone playing regularly throughout the season and that paved the way for him to join Inter Milan.
According to a post by transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, Akanji didn’t want to hang around as he needed playing time in a World Cup year.
There were six central defenders in the squad. Pep Guardiola openly told us it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to have regular playing time. It was not an ideal situation, but I was well aware of competition for places.
Akanji joined the Cityzens Dortmund in September 2022 and made 136 appearances. He won seven trophies during his time at Manchester City with the most remarkable one for him was when he became part of the squad that won four premier league titles consecutively.
Akanji went on to lift two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one FA Cup, one Community Shield and one UEFA Super Cup during a memorable time at Manchester City.
In the 2022/23 season, he made 48 appearances and scored an unforgettable goal during the 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Etihad.
He made the same number of appearances in the 2023/24 season for Manchester City, playing 30 times in the Premier League and in all UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup fixtures as the Cityzens lifted those trophies.
Akanji played 40 games in 2024/25 which was his final season with Pep Guardiola and his final appearance came in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup defeat to Al-Hilal. Until he left the club, he did not feature in any of the matches in 2025/26 season for Manchester City.
Akanji is currently with the Switzerland team preparing for Friday’s match against Kosovo and Slovenia on Monday in the 2026 World Cup qualifier.
