Tag: Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has spoken to Yaya Toure about his apology, but insists “nothing has changed” in the aftermath.

Guardiola had said earlier this season that Toure would not feature in his plans until he makes a public apology for comments made in the press by his agent, Dimitri Seluk.

Toure finally posted that apology to Guardiola via his Facebook page on Friday morning, just hours before the City boss was due to give his weekly pre-match press conference.

It was expected that Guardiola would clear up the situation and shed light on whether the Ivorian would now be in contention for matches, but the Catalan gave a vague response.

“I spoke with Yaya this morning, so of course it’s a private conversation,” he said, somewhat sheepishly. “I know what he says and it is so important for Manchester City. That’s the most important thing, and for Yaya as well. It’s good.

“Of course I read what he wants and that’s all.”

When asked specifically about whether Toure will be in contention for Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough, Guardiola replied: “Yaya is in our training sessions, is in our meetings. You knew the situation, nothing changed.”

Another attempt was made to discuss the Toure situation, but Guardiola was keen to move on.

“I answered about Yaya, I do not say any more. Now let’s focus on Middlesbrough, you know the situation.”

Despite Toure’s earlier apology, however, Seluk spoke to TalkSport to insist that he had no intention of saying sorry, and that his client should had no reason to extend an olive branch.

Yaya Toure has issued a public apology to Manchester City’s management team after being frozen out by Pep Guardiola following comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk.

In September, the City manager made it clear that Toure would not play under his leadership unless he received an apology from Seluk.

The midfielder’s representative accused Guardiola of ‘humiliating’ his client by leaving him out of City’s Champions League squad at the start of the season.

Seluk refused to apologise for his comments, and he recently fuelled the fire by claiming that Guardiola’s snub of Toure is down to revenge.

It appears, though, that the player himself wants to mend fences as he has released a statement via his official website and Facebook page, claiming that there has been “misunderstandings” and that previous comments do not reflect his views.

The statement read: “I wish to apologise – on behalf of myself and those who represent me – to the management team and all those working at the club for the misunderstandings from the past. Those statements do not represent my views on the club or the people who work there.

“I have nothing but respect for Manchester City and only wish the best for the football club. I am immensely proud to have played a part in the club’s history and want to help City succeed further. I live to play football and entertain the fans.

“On that note, I would like to thank all of the fans for their messages through this difficult period. This means a great deal to me and my family.”