Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued an apology to midfielder Kalvin Phillips for his previous comments regarding the player's physical condition post the 2022 World Cup. Guardiola had previously remarked that Phillips was not in the optimal shape to partake in training sessions upon his return from the tournament in Qatar, where he had limited playing time for England.
Phillips, who had a challenging stint at City following his transfer from Leeds United in 2022, with only six starts in 18 months, recently moved to West Ham United on loan. The 28-year-old expressed that his confidence was significantly affected by Guardiola's remarks.
Guardiola, addressing the issue, stated, 'I apologise to him. I spoke to him before making the comment. I never fail to communicate with the team or the player before making public statements.' The manager's apology comes amidst City's pursuit of narrowing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a potential one-point difference if they secure a victory against Brentford at home later today.
