Samir Nasri maintains Pep Guardiola wanted him to stay at Manchester City but is enjoying life at Sevilla under Jorge Sampaoli.

Nasri was on target as Sampaoli's men beat Leganes 3-2 on Saturday, continuing an impressive start to the LaLiga season that leaves them third after eight matches – a point ahead of defending champions Barcelona.

The 29-year-old is on a season-long loan at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, having been banished from first-team training during the early weeks of Guardiola's tenure at City after returning for pre-season training overweight.

But Nasri maintains he had won round the former Barca and Bayern Munich boss before electing to take his career elsewhere.

"I managed to change his mind – Guardiola wanted me to stay – which is not easy," the ex-France international told RMC.

"I made the decision to come here because I had a discussion with the coach [Sampaoli] there.

"With the coach we have a relationship of trust. It is thanks to him and his assistant that I am here.

"They empower me a lot, they give me a lot of confidence. When I have a little bit less, they are always there to talk to me, to put me in the best condition.

"When you have a coach like that behind you, you have to make it count on the pitch and give the maximum. I may miss matches, but the level of commitment should be there at least."