Guardiola explains Rogers exit as midfielder thrives at Aston Villa

December 22, 2025 Oliver Obel

Pep Guardiola’s explanation for why Manchester City allowed Morgan Rogers to leave has resurfaced as the midfielder cements his status as a key figure in Aston Villa’s Premier League campaign.

Rogers’ recent two-goal display against Manchester United was his most eye-catching performance yet, adding to a run of form that has made him one of Villa’s most consistent attacking outlets this season. As his influence grows, attention has inevitably returned to the decision City took to move him on.

Guardiola addressed that call in 2024 when asked about Rogers’ progress, according to Reuters, framing it as a matter of timing rather than a lack of belief in the player.

"Do you know what happened with some players? It was a team that won the treble and the quadruple. Sometimes it’s the right tempo, the right time to give the chance," Guardiola said. "Of course, everyone knows how good Morgan is. A lot of players went on loan or have been sold."

He pointed to the depth City possessed at the time, with senior internationals occupying attacking and midfield roles. "We had the players that we had that allowed us to create the most successful years in the history of our club," he said. "That’s the only reason why."

Rogers progressed through City’s academy but never found a clear route into first-team football. In 2023, he joined Middlesbrough and made an immediate impression in the Championship, scoring seven goals and supplying nine assists in a short spell that hinted at his readiness for a higher level.

Aston Villa moved quickly to secure his signing. The transfer was reported at £8 million, potentially rising to £15 million, with Manchester City retaining a 25 percent sell-on clause a detail that now looks increasingly relevant given Rogers’ trajectory.

Guardiola later acknowledged that circumstances at the Etihad have shifted. "In the situation we are in right now, of course these kinds of players would be with us. This is obvious," he said. He also offered personal praise, adding: "I’m happy for him because he’s a lovely guy. He exploded last season and this season he’s a really, really top-class player. England have another exceptional player."

While external debate has focused on whether City misjudged Rogers’ potential, the player himself has been blunt about his own readiness at the time. Reflecting on his departure, he said: "I wasn’t good enough, simple as that. I wasn’t ready… it wasn't the right player at the right time for me or the club."

His assessment underscores a broader truth about elite academies, where development is shaped as much by opportunity and squad balance as by ability alone. For Rogers, stepping away from a title-winning squad proved decisive and his progress since suggests that the move, rather than the moment of exit, has defined his career.

Sources: Reuters