'I played football the wrong way' - Ex-Man City star claims to have been 'brainwashed' by Pep Guardiola as he lifts lid on 'university' experience at Etihad Stadium

Danilo enjoyed an extensive career across multiple European leagues before arriving at Manchester City in 2017. Having already played for Santos in Brazil, Porto in Portugal, and Real Madrid in Spain - where he won two Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane - the Brazilian moved to the Premier League with a wealth of experience.

Signing a five-year contract, the right-back spent two seasons at the Etihad Stadium, featuring in 60 matches and securing back-to-back Premier League titles under the management of Guardiola. However, his time in Manchester was more than just about winning trophies—it was a period of transformation in how he perceived and understood football.

Reflecting on his tenure at Manchester, Danilo was effusive in his praise for Guardiola and the profound impact the Spaniard had on his development.

“Pep Guardiola educates his players,” Danilo said in an interview with The Guardian. "That’s the most important thing about his work. He makes all players think about football in the same way. Time, space, movement, possession, taking care of the ball. He makes you understand the spaces on the pitch like no other coach and he lives the game emotionally like no other coach. I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university. What I experienced with him allowed me to raise my level and keep that level to this day.

"It’s not that I was an idiot before I arrived at Manchester City but I realised that I played football in completely the wrong way. If I had met him before, he would have made my life a lot easier. I’m so glad I was able to play under him and was able to learn from him.”

While Danilo reminisced about his time at City with admiration, the club is currently enduring one of its toughest seasons since Guardiola took charge. Currently sitting in fifth place, Guardiola’s side is a staggering 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool. With their Premier League title hopes all but extinguished, City will now turn their focus to the FA Cup, where they will face Bournemouth in the quarterfinals on March 30.