Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola issued a public apology to Steven Gerrard over “unnecessary and stupid comments” he made about the Liverpool legend last week.
Guardiola referenced Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea in the 2013-14 Premier League title race when defending City amid allegations of more than 100 breaches of financial rules.
Gerrard’s costly error allowed Demba Ba to race through and score for Chelsea in a 2-0 win at Anfield, with that proving a pivotal moment as City went on to win the title.
“I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping. Was that our fault?” Guardiola said last Friday.
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“I have respect for Steven, but that moment belongs to us.”
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of City’s huge showdown with Arsenal, Guardiola opened proceedings by revealing he has reached out to Gerrard to apologise.
“I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comments I said the last time about him,” he said.
“He knows how I admire him and his career, what he has done for this country that I am living and training in. I’m ashamed of myself because he doesn’t deserve it.
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“I truly believe in my comments in previous press conferences to defend my club, but I didn’t represent my club well putting his name in these stupid comments.”
Gerrard spent 17 seasons at Liverpool prior to leaving in 2015 and played out the final two campaigns of his playing career in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy.
He has since moved into management and enjoyed a successful spell at Rangers, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2020-21, before a disappointing year with Aston Villa.
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