Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has apologized publicly to Steven Gerrard for making “unnecessary and stupid comments” about the Liverpool legend last week.
Guardiola defended City amid claims of more than 100 financial rule violations by referencing Gerrard’s error against Chelsea in the 2013–14 Premier League title contest.
Demba Ba scored for Chelsea in a 2-0 victory at Anfield thanks to a costly error by Gerrard, and that turning point ultimately helped City win the title.
“I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping. Was that our fault?” Guardiola said last Friday. “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.
“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.”
Before leaving Liverpool in 2015, Gerrard played there for 17 seasons. He finished his playing career with Los Angeles Galaxy, spending the final two seasons of his career there.
Since then, he has since transitioned into management. He had a successful run at Rangers, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2020–2021, followed by a disappointing year at Aston Villa.
