Nolito has reflected candidly on his spell at Manchester City, admitting that his year in England was shaped as much by the atmosphere in the dressing room as by events on the pitch.
The former Spain international arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016, handpicked by Pep Guardiola as one of the Catalan coach’s first additions after taking charge. Expectations were high. Nolito had impressed in La Liga and was viewed as a versatile forward capable of thriving in Guardiola’s system.
For a time, that promise appeared justified. He made an immediate impact in the early weeks of the campaign, contributing goals and assists as City surged forward with renewed intensity under their new manager. His movement and eye for goal seemed well suited to the fluid style Guardiola was implementing.
Yet the momentum did not last. Over the course of the season, his influence waned. What began as a bright introduction gradually turned into a peripheral role, and by the end of the campaign he had slipped down the pecking order. A return of six goals and five assists in all competitions proved insufficient to secure a longer stay.
The following summer, Nolito returned to Spain with Sevilla FC, bringing an abrupt end to his time in the Premier League. He would go on to spend three seasons in Andalusia before later spells at RC Celta de Vigo and UD Ibiza. He retired from professional football in 2023.
Looking back, Nolito has previously described his season in Manchester as a difficult chapter, citing the challenges of adjusting to life in England. In a recent interview with the El After de Post United podcast, reported by RMC Sport, he again revisited that period — this time focusing on what he perceived behind the scenes.
“Some players had huge egos,” he said. His statement paints a picture of a dressing room lacking warmth and cohesion, at least from his perspective.
“We’d all take a shower and then everyone would leave immediately. It wasn’t a very close-knit locker room.
“But anyway, I was always with the Spanish guys, with Silva or Navas, and we shared a lot in the locker room.”
In a squad packed with established internationals and serial winners, Nolito suggested that strong personalities were inevitable.
“There were so many good players that I noticed there were a lot of egos. I saw a lot of things, but I prefer not to say anything. I think ego is a societal problem today.”
Competition, confidence and a struggle for rhythm
On the field, competition for places was intense. Manchester City’s squad at the time brimmed with attacking talent, and maintaining a starting berth required consistent excellence. For Nolito, opportunities became increasingly scarce as the months passed.
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He did not start another Premier League match after December of that season, a turning point that effectively curtailed his involvement. The January arrival of Gabriel Jesus further heightened the battle for minutes, adding fresh impetus to an already formidable forward line.
Nolito acknowledged that the relentless pressure for places was part and parcel of life at a top club.
“At the beginning, I played a lot, then less,” he added.
“Ultimately, these are top-level teams and the competition was tough. I didn’t adapt well, because if I don’t play… time…”
For attacking players in particular, rhythm and confidence are often intertwined. Without regular involvement, sharpness can diminish and self-belief can ebb away.
His adaptation off the pitch also proved challenging. Moving countries brings linguistic, cultural and lifestyle adjustments, and while he found comfort among fellow Spaniards in the squad, the wider environment did not always feel like home.
