Pep Guardiola expresses regret with apology to Kalvin Phillips for ‘overweight’ comment

In an unexpected move, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has broken his silence and issued a public apology to Kalvin Phillips. Reflecting on his comment about Phillips' weight back in December 2022, Guardiola acknowledged the impact of his words on the midfielder's confidence.

Phillips, in an interview earlier this month, admitted that the remark made by the City boss had ‘a big knock on his confidence’ and disclosed that his family was unhappy after the backlash.

The England international said: “He was right to do so but there are different ways to go about it. It was just a misunderstanding and I think he was very frustrated with me coming back 1.5kg over my weight target.”

Guardiola, speaking ahead of City’s Premier League clash against Brentford on Tuesday, as reported by The Guardian, said:

"Yeah, I’m sorry. Once in eight years is not bad. But I’m so sorry. I apologise to him."

"I spoke to him before [making the comment]. I never, ever don’t speak to the team before I say something here, or the player in that case."

Phillips signed for City from Leeds in 2022, but, despite featuring in the national team regularly, the 28-year-old struggled to make the starting lineup under Guardiola, making just two league starts in his 18-month spell.

Rodri remains the mainstay at the heart of midfield, and with further additions like Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes from Chelsea and Wolves last summer, Phillips knew his time at the Etihad Stadium was limited.

He joined West Ham last month, agreeing a loan move till the end of the season. But, he endured a tumultuous start to his journey in the English capital, making two vital mistakes featuring for the Hammers - gifting Bournemouth a goal with his first touch for the club and he was also responsible for conceding another in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Adding more misery, Phillips was sent off for two bookable offences within a span of just three minutes as West Ham lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest last weekend.

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