LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola apologized to Kalvin Phillips for saying the midfielder was fat when he returned from the 2022 World Cup.
Guardiola told reporters Phillips was not in good shape for training after returning from Qatar, where he was used for just 40 minutes in two substitute appearances.
Phillips endured a difficult time at City after moving from Leeds United in 2022, making just six first-team appearances in 18 months and the 28-year-old joined West Ham United on loan last month.
After moving to West Ham, the midfielder said his confidence had been affected following Guardiola’s comments.
“Yes, I apologize,” Guardiola told reporters last night.
“I apologized to him. I spoke to him before (about the comments). I never don’t speak to the team before I say something here or the players in this case.”
City, who are third in the Premier League, could close the gap on leaders Liverpool to one point if they beat Brentford at home early tomorrow.