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A recent report has revealed that Pep Guardiola lost confidence in John Stones’ physical reliability during the final stages of his tenure at Manchester City.

Despite Ruben Dias being sidelined through injury, Stones was omitted from the starting eleven in the Carabao Cup final in March, a decision that raised eyebrows within the club. The 32-year-old has since left Manchester City as a free agent and is currently in search of a new team.

The report provides insight into why Stones, despite claiming he had been fit for most of the season, featured only sporadically during his final months at the Etihad Stadium.

Stones, aged 32, ended his decade-long spell with Manchester City at the conclusion of last season, having become one of Europe’s most composed ball-playing defenders under Guardiola’s tactical system. His departure, however, followed a period of limited game time that puzzled many observers and led to speculation about a breakdown in his relationship with the manager.

Following his release, Stones joined England’s squad for the FIFA World Cup as a free agent, with Thomas Tuchel showing faith in the defender despite the uncertainty surrounding his club future. For many City supporters, his situation became one of the more uncomfortable narratives of Guardiola’s final campaign in charge.

Reports now suggest that Guardiola’s decision not to extend Stones’ contract stemmed from doubts over the defender’s ability to maintain fitness levels. According to journalist Sam Lee of The Athletic, sources close to the club indicated that Guardiola had grown frustrated with Stones’ cautious approach to managing his body, preferring players who consistently pushed themselves to be available for selection.

Nonetheless, insiders at the City training ground reportedly believed that Stones had made a full recovery late in the season and was performing well, making his continued exclusion from key matches particularly difficult to understand.

Even with Ruben Dias unavailable and fellow centre-back Marc Guehi cup-tied, Stones was left out of the starting lineup for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal in late March — a high-profile fixture that many now see as a turning point in his final months at the club.

Speaking ahead of the World Cup, Stones hinted at his frustration during that time, telling reporters he felt his efforts and fitness had not been adequately recognised as his role at Manchester City diminished.

Further confusion arose later in the campaign when Stones was introduced only in the closing minutes of a home fixture against Crystal Palace in May. Sources told The Athletic that many within the squad were surprised by the limited cameo, given the defender’s strong performances in training and overall fitness.

Lee’s reporting paints a picture of a professional relationship that had simply reached its end. Guardiola’s departure from the Etihad Stadium and Stones’ exit as a free agent marked the conclusion of two major eras, with director of football Hugo Viana now overseeing a rebuilding process under new manager Enzo Maresca.

The decision to omit Stones from the Carabao Cup final remains a particularly striking detail for fans who witnessed his contributions over ten successful years, during which he helped secure six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. Many viewed the choice to exclude him while options were limited as inconsistent with his decade of service, especially given the club’s subsequent confirmation that his contract would not be renewed.

Viana’s ongoing search for a long-term replacement for Stones at the heart of City’s defence has become a pressing priority this summer. Alongside bolstering midfield options with the acquisition of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, the club remains focused on strengthening its defensive depth under Maresca’s leadership.

Whether Stones secures a new club during the World Cup or takes additional time to assess his next move, his departure from Manchester City — and the confusion surrounding his final months — calls for a more reflective conclusion than the training-ground uncertainty outlined in Lee’s report.