Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has revealed how he now regrets turning down a contract extension to stay at the club in favour of joining Aston Villa for more first-team football.
The player-turned-pundit left City in the summer of 2015 after spending a decade in the first team. Richards had fallen out of favour, featuring infrequently over the previous three seasons and spending the latter on loan in Italy with Fiorentina.
Despite that, the defender had an extension offered the previous year, which he suggests was because of his presence as a homegrown player in the squad, which helped them fulfil Premier League and Champions League registration quotas. The player himself now explains why he turned down the deal.
READ MORE: Two hours with Pep Guardiola that signalled Joe Hart's City departure
"Man City offered me 100k a week on a five-and-a-half-year deal, and I said no because I was number two behind Pablo Zabaleta, so I'm not all about the money," Richards told BBC Sport.
Asked about recovering from that costly financial decision, Richards joked: "Why do you think I work for every f****** broadcaster? It's the worst decision I have ever f****** made!" The pundit is prominent in Sky Sports' Premier League coverage, works for the BBC, and is part of CBS Sports' Champions League broadcasts.
Richards continued: "I went to Aston Villa, that was less money. But then we got relegated in the first season, so my wages halved. So, I have gone from a 100k a week offer to £25k a week in the Championship."
READ NEXT:
