Pep Guardiola apologises to Kalvin Phillips over weight comment

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, in the middle of a press conference

MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised over a comment he made about Kalvin Phillips’ weight.

Upon the England midfielder’s return to City training after the Qatar World Cup in 2022, manager Guardiola claimed the now West Ham midfielder was “overweight”.

The 53-year-old Spaniard explained that this was the reason Phillips was left out of the City side to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Earlier this year, Phillips said the comment was a “knock to his confidence”.

Guardiola responded to this in a press conference by saying: “I’m sorry, I do apologise to him, I’m so sorry”.

The 28-year-old Phillips has struggled to settle into life at his new side, after going out on loan to West Ham in the January transfer window.

In his first game for his new club, Phillips misplaced a simple pass, putting through Bournemouth Striker Dominic Solanke on goal.

And in just his second start for the Hammers, Phillips picked up a red card against Nottingham Forest.