• Pep Guardiola apologizes to Phillips for “overweight” comment.
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• Phillips struggled at City & moved on loan to West Ham.
• Guardiola regrets impact on Phillips’ confidence.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has expressed regret to Kalvin Phillips for previously suggesting that the midfielder was carrying excess weight upon his return from the 2022 World Cup.

Guardiola had informed the local press that Phillips was not in a condition to participate in training sessions after his return from Qatar, where he only played for 40 minutes in two substitute appearances during England’s campaign.

Phillips, who transferred from Leeds United to City in 2022, struggled to make an impact, starting only six times in 18 months. The 28-year-old recently moved to West Ham United on a loan deal.

Upon his transfer to West Ham, Phillips admitted that his self-assurance had suffered a “big knock” due to Guardiola’s remarks.

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” Guardiola said to journalists on Monday.

“I apologise to him. I spoke to him before (making the comment). I never, ever don’t speak to the team before I say something here, or the player in that case.”

City, currently third in the Premier League, have the opportunity to close the gap to league leaders Liverpool to a single point if they manage to beat Brentford in their home game later on Tuesday.

Phillips, who played in every match of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, made his international debut in September 2020 and was awarded England’s Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season.

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