Pep Guardiola has apologised for a jibe about Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Guardiola had referenced Gerrard’s slip which contributed to the Anfield club narrowly losing out to Manchester City for the 2013/14 Premier League title.
The City manager’s remark came just days after top-flight chiefs charged the reigning champions with 115 charges relating to their historic financial affairs.
But ahead of his side’s trip to Arsenal, Guardiola offered up a public mea culpa and revealed he also contacted the former Reds’ captain to say sorry.
He said: “I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comments that I said last time about him.
“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 apologised to him privately but, like the comment was public, my apology must be public as well.”