Guardiola recounted his statement during the pre-match press conference of Man City’s crucial midweek game against league leaders, Arsenal
By Kehinde Okeowo
Pep Guardiola has apologised to former Aston Villa coach, Steven Gerrard for his statement about his slip that had a major impact on Manchester City’s 2013-14 title triumph.
Guardiola aimed a dig at the former English midfielder when lambasting other Premier League teams he accused of being envious of Manchester City’s achievements and wanting them relegated.
The Spaniard while offering reasons why the Citizens should not be stripped of titles they won in the past even if they were found guilty of breaching Premier League’s financial rules, alluded to Gerrard’s incident.
He said: “The moment from Sergio Aguero, with Balotelli slipping him in… I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping. In that situation at Anfield I didn’t want that, for respect for Steven Gerrard, but is it our fault? Come on. That belongs to us…”
The costly fall came in April 2014 at Anfield and allowed Demba Ba to run through and score in Chelsea’s 2-0 win. The loss, coming in the third-to-last match, derailed Liverpool’s title challenge and allowed Manuel Pellegrini’s team to overtake them.
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Recounting his statement during the pre-match press conference of Man City’s crucial midweek game against league leaders, Arsenal, the former Bayern Munich boss, said he was ashamed of his earlier statement and apologised to Gerrard.
“I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comments I said the last time about him,” Guardiola said. “He knows how I admire him and his career and what he has done for this country I am living and training in.
“I am ashamed of myself for what I said because he doesn’t deserve it,” Guardiola said.
