---
title: "Manchester City: Sky Blues go wild as Pablo Zabaleta in talks over emotional Eastlands return"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-sky-blues-go-wild-as-pablo-zabaleta-in-talks-over-emotional-eastlands-return/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Manchester City Football Club"
published: "2021-03-13T13:10:37Z"
modified: "2021-03-13T13:10:37Z"
---

# Manchester City: Sky Blues go wild as Pablo Zabaleta in talks over emotional Eastlands return

**Manchester City cult hero Pablo Zabaleta, as relayed by an exclusive with[the Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-city-legend-pablo-zabaleta-23701319?1=), is in talks over an emotional return to Eastlands nearly four years after his departure – with the Argentine open to taking up different roles for the club following his [retirement from football](https://www.mancity.com/news/club/city-dna-70-pablo-zabaleta-the-warrior-with-the-heart-of-a-lion-63720146) in October.**

Zabaleta, who made [333 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pablo-zabaleta/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/20007) for the Sky Blues before emotionally saying goodbye at the end of the 2016/2017 season, winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a Community Shield at the Etihad, could now make a dream return in a non-playing capacity.

\[freshpress-poll id=”349167″\]

The Argentine is a[fan favourite for the club,](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/may/20/pablo-zabaleta-anti-robinho-manchester-city-hero) being one of the only players [signed before the takeover](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/aug/31/zabaleta) to survive in City’s squad for years thereafter.

After his departure from the Etihad, Zabaleta could come back in a non-playing role – as the Mirror relay CFG have approached him over a return in some capacity as he will continue to negotiate.

The 36-year-old [hinted he could even take up a coaching role](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-city-legend-pablo-zabaleta-23701319?1=) as supporters flock to this ‘awesome news’ shared by [City Xtra on social media](https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1370415792454565894), and it’s little wonder why they’re excited given the love for ‘Zaba’.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

### Man City fans wowed by ‘awesome’ Zabaleta news

***“Get in Zaba”***

Credit: [@MCFCAJ10](https://twitter.com/MCFCAJ10/status/1370424268320817153)

***“#ZABACK SIUUUUUUUU”***

Credit: [@gundo8ii](https://twitter.com/gundo8ii/status/1370430722842972166)

***“YEA!!!! Awesome news…!”***

Credit: [@MCFCTone](https://twitter.com/MCFCTone/status/1370417733603635201)

***“YEEESSSSSSS”***

Credit: [@jontekarlsson02](https://twitter.com/jontekarlsson02/status/1370439383711637508)

***“Can’t wait to have Zaba back in any capacity. His genuine love for*** ***mcfc***\
***is unmatched.”***

Credit: [@dippyalone](https://twitter.com/dippyalone/status/1370424210040950784)

***“Please make this happen”***

Credit: [@Mr\_C\_Walsh](https://twitter.com/Mr_C_Walsh/status/1370422873114996738)

***“The king shall return”***

Credit: [@\_TrueInBlue](https://twitter.com/_TrueInBlue/status/1370416303496904705)

***“YESSSSSS”***

Credit: [@mcfcsaif](https://twitter.com/mcfcsaif/status/1370420169504403462)

***In other news: Man City fans weren’t impressed by this claim, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/manchester-city-sky-blues-erupt-as-sergio-aguero-news-emerges/)***