Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued an apology to Kalvin Phillips for his remarks suggesting the midfielder was “overweight” upon his return from the Qatar World Cup.
Guardiola’s comments, made in December 2022, came into question as he explained Phillips’ absence from the squad during a Carabao Cup fourth-round fixture against Liverpool.
Phillips expressed how the remarks dealt a blow to his confidence when questioned about them earlier this month.
“I’m sorry,” Guardiola stated. “I do apologise to him. I’m so sorry.”
The City manager revealed that he had a conversation with the 28-year-old, who recently joined West Ham on loan, regarding the matter upon his return from a brief break following the World Cup.
“I did speak about that,” Guardiola confirmed. “I never before said something here [to the media] without speaking to the player.”
Phillips has faced challenges at the beginning of his loan tenure with West Ham.
In his debut for the club, Phillips inadvertently conceded a goal to Bournemouth with his first touch during a 1-1 draw at London Stadium on February 1.
He was also accountable for another goal conceded in a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United three days later.
Moreover, during Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest, Phillips received two yellow cards within three minutes, resulting in his expulsion as West Ham suffered a 2-0 loss.
