Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola Apologized to Liverpool Legend Steven Gerrard

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologized publicly to former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard for comments made in the aftermath of the Premier League’s decision to impose over 100 financial breaches on Manchester City. The champions could face points deductions or relegation from the English top-flight, should they be found guilty of the alleged breaches, between 2009/10 and 2017/18, by an independent commission.

In February 2020, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld City’s appeal against UEFA’s two-year ban from European club competitions. CAS also reduced their fine to €10m ($12m) from €30m. However, the Premier League’s decision is a separate matter and independent from the decision made by CAS.

Gerrard’s slip during Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea in 2014 opened the door for City to win the Premier League title, two years before Guardiola’s arrival in Manchester. In his first press conference after the charges were revealed, Guardiola made comments that were perceived as a slight against Gerrard.

Guardiola’s apology to Steven Gerrard

However, Guardiola has since reached out to the former Liverpool captain to offer his apologies, admitting that his comments were unnecessary and stupid. In his public apology, Guardiola said he was “ashamed” of his comments and that he had also apologized privately to Gerrard. He said: “He knows how I admire him for what he has done in the country where I live. I defended my club but I didn’t represent my club well with my stupid comments. I am ashamed. I have apologized to him privately but, like the comment was public, my apology must be public as well.”

Despite the threat of being stripped of league titles hanging over them, Manchester City is still back in the race to win a fifth Premier League crown in seven years on the pitch. The team is set to travel to league leaders Arsenal on Wednesday, knowing that a victory would lift them to the top of the table on goal difference.

Speaking ahead of the game, Guardiola acknowledged that the game against Arsenal would be crucial for their season. He said: “Of course, it’s an important one, everyone knows it, we know it, and we have to try to perform well. It will be a big, big battle in every department. You have to be ready.”

Erling Haaland’s injury situation

However, there is some concern for City, as their top scorer, Erling Haaland, is an injury doubt after coming off at half-time of Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa with a knock to his thigh. Guardiola has stated that he will have to wait and see how things pan out at training before making a final decision on the Norwegian’s inclusion in the squad.

Guardiola’s apology to Steven Gerrard is a sign of respect and acknowledgement of the past. It is a welcome move for the football community and shows that the relationship between two rival clubs is still based on mutual respect. For Manchester City, the upcoming game against Arsenal will be a crucial one, and they will be hoping to secure all three points, which would go a long way towards securing a top-four spot in the league.