Last week, when quizzed about whether or not his club should be stripped of their titles if they are found guilty of having breached the Premier League rules, for which they stand accused of doing over 100 times, Guardiola went on an astonishing rant in defence of the Cityzens.
Those moments belong to us. They absolutely belong to us, regardless of the sentence they belong to us”, he told the media.
“The goal from Sergio Agüero [in 2012], when Balotelli slipped. I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping at Anfield. Was that our fault? I have respect for Steven Gerrard – but that moment belongs to us.”
His words cooked up a storm on social media, and ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal, the Spaniard was quick to take those comments back.
“I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary stupid comments about him. He knows how I admire him and his career, what he has done for this country. I am ashamed of myself, he doesn’t deserve it”, he began his pre-match press conference by saying.
“I truly believe my comments about defending my club but I didn’t represent my club well putting his name in these stupid comments. I am so sorry to him, his kids, wife, family. It was stupid.”
“I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comment I said. He knows how I admire him and his career. I am ashamed of myself for what I said.”
Pep Guardiola opens up his presser by apologising to Steven Gerrard for his comments about him. pic.twitter.com/xq3QyGexeE
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 14, 2023
