Pep Guardiola issues Man City apology to West Ham's Kalvin Phillips after weight comments

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said sorry to Kalvin Phillips for publicly saying he was 'overweight' when he returned from the World Cup.

Phillips, who now plays for West Ham United, was upset when Guardiola criticised him for not being fit at a press conference in December 2022. The midfielder joined West Ham on loan last month and says the comment knocked his confidence.

«After the World Cup was probably the toughest when Pep came out and said I was overweight», he said, adding: «I did not disagree with him but obviously I took a big knock on my confidence and how I felt at City.»

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When asked in a press conference this week if he regretted the comments, Guardiola said: «Yeah, I'm sorry.»

«Once in eight years is not bad. But I'm so sorry. I apologise to him. I do apologise. I'm sorry.»

However, Guardiola told reporters that he and Phillips had spoken in private beforehand. He added: «I never, never before I said something here did not speak with the players in that case.»

West Ham will be without Phillips for the weekend's Premier League clash vs Brentford due to suspension after his red card against Nottingham Forest. He was shown red after picking up a second booking in the second half of the 2-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon.

The former England man will be available for the Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday 2 March. Everton are currently 17th in the table and only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.