Pep Guardiola apologises to Kalvin Phillips for overweight remark.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has publicly apologized to Kalvin Phillips for his earlier statement regarding the midfielder’s weight after returning from the Qatar World Cup. Guardiola made the comment in a December 2022 press conference when Phillips was left out of a Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool. Phillips, now on loan at West Ham, recently revealed in an interview that Guardiola’s remarks had a significant impact on his confidence during his time at City.
During a press conference on Monday, Guardiola expressed regret for going public about Phillips’ weight, acknowledging the effect it had on the player. He stated, “Yeah, I’m sorry. Once in eight years is not bad. But I’m so sorry. I apologize to him. I do apologize. I’m sorry.” Guardiola’s public apology reflects a recognition of the potential impact such comments can have on a player’s confidence and well-being.
Kalvin Phillips revealed there was a misunderstanding regarding his return date, which led to Pep Guardiola’s comment about his weight. Despite the situation, Phillips didn’t address it with Guardiola directly, choosing to “take it on the chin.” Guardiola clarified that he always communicates with players before making public comments, stating, “I never, never before I said something here did not speak with the players in that case.”
Guardiola also touched on an incident between Kyle Walker and Neal Maupay in their previous match against Brentford. While emotions flared, Guardiola mentioned that the matter has been resolved, stating, “It happened, I think they talked and that’s all.” Reflecting on his own playing days, Guardiola acknowledged his occasional emotional responses on the pitch, recalling his record for the most yellow cards conceded during his time at Barcelona.
