Pep Guardiola has revealed a decision made by former England manager Gareth Southgate earlier in 2024 that left him ‘so angry’.
The Man City boss incensed when John Stones was injured during an international break ahead of crucial club fixtures.
Stones was injured with England just before a huge set of fixtures for CityGetty
The centre-back started for his country in a friendly against Belgium in March, but his appearance at Wembley lasted only ten minutes.
Stones was substituted with an abductor problem and upon his City return, doubts were raised over his fitness for the season run-in.
He was an unused substitute during Premier League matches against Arsenal and Aston Villa before starting against Crystal Palace.
The defender then appeared from the off in their Champions League semi-final first leg tie against Real Madrid, but not in the second leg in which they were knocked out.
Speaking ahead of City’s clash against Sparta Prague on Wednesday, live on talkSPORT 2, Guardiola recalled his anger with the injury.
“I was never so angry than in that moment,” he said via BBC Sport. “Never before was I so disappointed.
“It was a friendly game and we were playing quarter-finals against Real Madrid and in the Premier League to try to win it.
“It was a friendly game [with England], so for players to come back injured… I didn’t like it at all.”
Southgate insisted he started Stones against Brazil and Belgium as he hadn’t played for two weeks prior, so stated that his decision was ‘not about overload’.
Guardiola also revealed how he and Southgate had little contract during international breaks, adding: “Before, when I was a player, the national team manager called the clubs – now nobody talks.
Guardiola was unable to start Stones in both legs against MadridGetty
He said that when the injury happened, he had never been so angryAFP
Guardiola also claimed he and Southgate didn’t speak much as now ‘nobody talks’Getty
“Maybe the physios talk, but the managers? Never. In the first or second season with Gareth, yes, but now no.
“I know the players don’t want to get injured, I always encourage them to go to the national team, it’s a pleasure, but if it’s a friendly game you cannot come back injured, I’m sorry.
“We are well-paid here, the club pays us, not the national teams. Sometimes you have to respect the clubs.
“In friendly games you cannot be injured. You can play, absolutely, but you cannot come back injured.”
Guardiola’s comments have come amid Kyle Walker being ruled out for City’s Champions League clash.
The right-back suffered a knee injury on international duty with England during the most recent October international break.
City and England’s teen star Rico Lewis also spoke in the pre-match press conference and looks set to play in Walker’s absence on Wednesday night.
Stones is also fit for City and could be named in the starting XI again after scoring their crucial, late winner against Wolves on Sunday.
