Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sheds Light on Issues With Pep Guardiola at Barcelona: 'He Was a Coward'

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has shared what transpired between him and Pep Guardiola
• The two did not see eye to eye during the Swedish star's one season in Barcelona
• The retired striker has insisted that the Manchester City boss is an amazing coach

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has candidly opened up on his issues with Pep Guardiola. The two had an infamous one-year working relationship when the Swede joined Barcelona in 2009.

The bullish retired striker appeared for an exclusive interview with British broadcaster, Piers Morgan, where he touched on a myriad of issues about his personal life and his illustrious career.

He hung his boots at the end of last season after a career that spanned over 15 years, taking him to different leagues; most notably, France, England, Spain, Italy, and the United States.

Given the longevity of his professional career, Ibrahimovic had the opportunity to work with different managers, but it was Guardiola who seemingly crossed a line.

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The Swede admitted that the current Manchester City coach was the best manager in the last 10 to 15 years by virtue of his achievements.

Ibrahimovic falling out with Guardiola

However, Ibrahimovic had a falling out with Guardiola after he felt he was being played out of position.

The former striker revealed on Piers Morgan Uncensored that he had approached the Spanish head coach to raise his frustrations.

"I prefer to be open and direct. I told him how I felt. After our discussion, he left me on the bench for four games. I could not take it anymore, I had to act."

The emergence of a talented Lionel Messi was the cause of Ibrahimovic's tribulations. He believes that Guardiola was offended by his outspokenness but faults him for not telling him outrightly.

"It is okay. He is the coach but be open and tell me. He was a coward for never addressing the issue he had with me."

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At the start of his career with La Blaugrana, Guardiola had told the former LA Galaxy striker not to bring his Ferrari.

After being dropped to the bench, Ibrahimovic says he brought out his Italian supercar and defiantly parked it in front of his manager's office.

The striker ended up lasting one season in Catalunya before going back to Italy on loan at AC Milan and then making the switch permanent, as reported by the Guardian.

Ibrahimovic picks best-ever bicycle kick

In a separate article, Sports Brief reported on Ibrahimovic comparing his remarkable acrobatic goal against England to Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational bicycle kick against Juventus.

The veteran Swede acknowledged the Portuguese star's effort in 2018 surpassed his own while replying to a fan. However, in the interview with Morgan, he joked he was being sarcastic.

During his stint with Real Madrid, Ronaldo delivered a goal to be remembered for generations, playing a pivotal role in his team's emphatic 3-0 triumph over Juventus with his artistic goal.