Antoine Semenyo has revealed a surprising reason why he laughed during his first meeting with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The 26-year-old forward, who has already made a significant impact since joining the club, has scored five goals in 12 Premier League appearances, proving to be an essential part of City’s late-season push.
Dan Owusu, a former Ghana international, has also offered encouragement to Semenyo, urging him to continue improving and making the most of his time at Manchester City. His contributions were instrumental in helping the team win the 2026 EFL Cup, where they defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley.
Semenyo shared a humorous anecdote about his first impression of working under Guardiola, admitting that the manager left him “laughing” during their initial interactions after his January move. The Ghanaian forward completed a high-profile £62.5 million transfer from AFC Bournemouth and quickly settled into life at Manchester City, signing a long-term contract that runs until 2031 after approval from sporting director Hugo Viana.
Semenyo was brought in to add pace, directness, and attacking flexibility to a City frontline that needed fresh energy after a mid-season dip in form. His arrival has already made a strong impact, with five goals in 12 Premier League appearances, helping City’s push for silverware, as Transfermarkt notes.
His signing also coincided with City’s strong cup run, including their 2026 EFL Cup triumph over Arsenal, as the club continues to compete for a potential domestic treble.
Reflecting on his early days at the club, Semenyo described Guardiola’s personality in detail during an interview on the All Out Football podcast on YouTube. He mentioned how the manager was “so energetic,” noting that when he entered Guardiola’s office, there was soft music playing in the background, and it smelled really nice. Guardiola welcomed him and said, “We’re happy to have you here. Continue your fine form and hopefully we’ll compete for the league.”
Inside Guardiola’s unique approach
Semenyo went on to explain how Pep Guardiola switches from relaxed charm to intense focus during team meetings, a contrast that initially caught him off guard. “He’s generally relaxed off the pitch,” Semenyo added. “But when you get into meetings, that’s where he becomes serious. I remember the first one, he was pacing up and down in front of everyone. I was thinking, ‘Is this normal?’”
As stated by City Extra, the Black Stars of Ghana forward continued: “I looked around and nobody was laughing, so I realised I was the only one reacting. You can see how passionate he is about every detail.”
Meanwhile, Semenyo’s seamless adaptation has been praised within the club, with his explosive style fitting well into Guardiola’s tactical system as City regain momentum in the Premier League title race.
Speaking to .gh, a former Ghana international, Dan Owusu, also offered encouragement, reportedly saying: “He has the tools to become one of the best forwards from Ghana in Europe, but he must stay focused and keep improving every season.”
Antoine Semenyo among top 5 African stars
Earlier, .gh reported that Antoine Semenyo has been tipped as one of the top five African players to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining his rapid rise. His explosive club form has put him firmly in the spotlight as Ghana look to make an impact in North America.
