Inside story of Joao Cancelo’s Man City exit with defender known for being ‘like a volcano’

Joao Cancelo has developed a reputation for being ‘like a volcano’ when he doesn’t play for Manchester City with Pep Guardiola growing tired of the defender’s conduct ahead of his loan switch to Bayern Munich. 

Guardiola’s staff also felt the Portuguese defender was no longer paying attention in team meetings and his behaviour was affecting the squad.

Cancelo’s impending loan to Bayern – reported by Sportsmail on Monday – is one of the biggest stories of the transfer window and came as a huge shock given his standing as one of the best in his position.

But the wing-back has seen his game time reduced significantly this season despite being named in the PFA team of the year last season – with the 28-year-old left enraged about being dropped on a number of occasions, claims the Athletic. 

Cancelo – who has blocked a number of Man City fan accounts on social media – even wanted to leave months after joining City in 2019 because he wasn’t playing enough. 

He is also said to have kicked up a fuss during the 2020-21 season when he was left out of the starting XI for the Champions League semi-final second leg and the final against Chelsea – making his feelings crystal clear.

Those close to Cancelo are well aware of how much he loathes being benched, with the player coming back from the World Cup ‘in a funk’ because he had not played as much as he wanted.

When he returned to City, he was played out of position on the right wing during City’s 1-0 win at Chelsea earlier this month – before being taken off at half time, leaving Cancelo ‘furious’.

Cancelo is known for being ‘like a volcano’ when he doesn’t play and staff felt his behaviour started to affect the group

A source told the publication: ‘When he’s in a good mood, he’s excellent. When he’s in a bad mood, he’s a bad boy. He thinks he is the best and doesn’t accept any advice or correction.’

After that game, ‘everything went downhill’ for…