Pep Guardiola responds to Kalvin Phillips after publicly shaming him over weight

19 February 2024 , 22:30

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Kalvin Phillips has had a nightmare start at West Ham on his loan from Man City (Image: Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)

Pep Guardiola has apologised to Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips for publicly outing him for being overweight.

Guardiola made the remarks after midfielder Phillips returned from England duty around 1.5kg overweight following the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Phillips, on loan at West Ham until the end of the season, admitted recently that his confidence took a huge knock after Guardiola outed him over his weight.

Rival fans have since taken delight in goading Phillips over the weight issue, with Guardiola admitting he was wrong to go public with his comments. “Yeah, I’m sorry,” said Guardiola. “Once in eight years is not bad. But I’m so sorry. I apologise to him. I do apologise. I’m so sorry.”

Phillips said he did not know Guardiola had planned to go public about him being overweight. But the City boss said the pair had discussed the issue of his weight, before he decided to make it public knowledge.

“Oh no, I spoke about that,” said Guardiola. “Before our game, I spoke to him. I never, never before said something here without speaking with the players in that case.”

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Phillips, reflecting on the impact Guardiola's comments about his weight, was asked for his lowest point at City following his difficult 18-month spell since leaving Leeds. “After the World Cup was probably the toughest, when Pep came out and said I was overweight,” said Phillips.

Pep Guardiola has apologised to Phillips for publicly declaring the midfielder overweight (Getty Images)

“He was right to do so, but there are different ways to go about it. I didn't disagree with him but obviously I took a big knock on my confidence and how I felt at City. My family weren't happy about it, either - especially my mum.”

Phillips has endured a nightmare start to his loan spell at West Ham, with two errors from him leading to goals in previous games, followed by a red card in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

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David McDonnell