Madrid, Spain – 11 26 2025: Manuel Akanji seen during Champions League league phase game between Atletico de Madrid and Internazionale Milano
Manchester City allowed Manuel Akanji to join Inter Milan on loan towards the end of the summer.
The Switzerland international has been a starter at the San Siro as Cristian Chivu included him in his playing XI 28 times this season.
On November 19th, Akanji suggested he could leave Manchester City permanently after this season.
SRF in Switzerland had a chat with the Manchester City man to discuss his loan move to Inter Milan.
Family major role in Manchester City exit
Akanji now admits he has already settled in Italy, after overcoming initial challenges.
“I have by now. It was stressful at first because everything happened at the last minute. My wife and children are central. Luckily, we had discussed everything thoroughly beforehand,” he said.
Manchester City signed the centre-back from Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He explains why moving to Italy was different when compared to his earlier transfer to England. The 30-year-old also insists his family played a major role in loan move to the Serie A side.
He mentions this when asked whether he feels guilty whether his family has to adjust with his transfers.
“A little. But it was also my most difficult transfer so far. When we went to Manchester, we only had our eldest son. Now we have three children,” Akanji explained.
“Definitely. None of this would be possible without my wife. And her daily life is more stressful than mine, especially mentally.”
Questions Manchester City’s loyalty
SRF informs the defender that his transfer to Inter Milan came as a surprise and when responding to that, he detailed his reason for leaving Pep Guardiola’s side.
“Manchester City suddenly had six fit centre-backs in the summer, but only two were available to play. When I then wasn’t playing at the start of the season, I started looking at my options with my agent,” he added.
“Clubs often demand loyalty from their players, but they don’t always offer it themselves. Therefore, as a player, you sometimes have to make selfish decisions that aren’t always understood from the outside.”
Akanji plays for Inter Milan but has a contract at Manchester City until 2017. When asked whether it creates a ‘loyalty problem’, he hints his future remains uncertain.
“No [loyalty problem], but it raises a lot of questions. What will happen in the summer? Will I end up at another club? But right now, my full focus is on Inter,” Akanji said.
