Pep Guardiola snaps back after furious Kyle Walker and Neal Maupay bust-up

06 February 2024 , 08:27

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Pep Guardiola speaking to the media (Image: @beinsports_FR /Twitter)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola snapped when asked to explain Kyle Walker’s furious clash with Brentford striker Neal Maupay.

The pair were involved in a tense exchange during the closing stages of City’s comeback 3-1 victory on Monday evening. Following an altercation with Maupay, Walker was spotted having an animated chat with referee Jarred Gillett.

City boss Guardiola attempted to cool down the defender, while the official then spoke to the Brentford striker. While it was unclear what triggered the angry clash between the two, Guardiola was asked to explain what had happened during his post-match press conference.

He however remained tight-lipped. Asked about the showdown, Guardiola snapped back: “Nothing, next question!” When asked if the officials were conducting a further investigation, Guardiola remained unmoved as he replied: “I said next question”.

Elsewhere, Brentford boss Thomas Frank was keen to sweep the incident under the carpet. Asked to explain his take on Maupay’s showdown with Walker, he said: “No, I saw they were talking to each other. It's not my first focus after a game that we lost.”

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Maupay’s clash with Walker is not the first contentious incident involving the Brentford frontman. He was also involved in a back-and-forth with Tottenham and England star James Maddison during Brentford’s trip to North London.

Maupay copied Maddison’s darts-themed celebration after scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, something that the midfielder took exception to. The ex-Leicester man spoke with the striker after his celebration.

After Richarlison and Brennan Johnson scored to help Spurs to three points, they both also attempted to copy the celebration. Speaking after the game, Maddison said: "I just said to him [Maupay] he probably hasn't scored enough goals of his own over the last few years to have his own celebration so you probably have to copy mine. A short story - it ended well for us."

Kyle Walker protests with the referee during Man City vs Brentford

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The feud was not finished there as the pair launched into a spat on social media. Posting on Instagram, Maddison shared an image of Maupay mid-celebration alongside the caption: "A short story... COYS”, to which Maupay replied: "ahahah rent free"

Maupay then mocked Maddison for suffering relegation from the Premier League last season with Leicester. He posted: "Went a bit early with that one. Gutted we couldn’t get the win. More goals and less relegations in my career than James Maddison. We go again monday bees."

Maupay, 27, has now scored in each of his last three Premier League games and will be aiming to continue his hot form this weekend as Brentford travel to Wolves.

Daniel Orme