Guardiola regrets Redmond outburst

Dec 1, 2017 - 4:42 PM Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola admits he regrets his post-match rant at Southampton's Nathan Redmond after his side's Premier League win.

The Football Association has asked the City boss to explain his version of events following an aggressive-looking discussion with the Saints player after the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

It initially appeared Guardiola was confronting Redmond to complain about something, but he said afterwards he was complimenting the player. This was later corroborated by Redmond himself.

But Guardiola now says he should not have approached Redmond in such a way, and asked if he regretted the incident, he said: "Yes. I did it in Munich, with my old player (Joshua) Kimmich, I did the same in Dortmund and had regret there after the game and the same now.

"I cannot control myself. Hopefully I will improve. What I said is what I said and what Nathan said in his statement.

"I admire him as a player and say thank you for his comments but if the FA want my statement again I am able to explain whatever they want. If they don't believe me I don't know what we're doing here.

"If they want to listen to me then I will do it. It's not a problem."

Redmond released a statement saying Guardiola "was very passionate, intense and aggressive but he was only very complimentary and positive to me".

Guardiola has until December 4 to respond to the FA's request.

Meanwhile, Premier League leaders City face struggling West Ham on Sunday, whose manager David Moyes admits he hoped his task would be "a bit easier" after a difficult start to his reign in east London.

The Hammers boss has yet to win since replacing Slaven Bilic early last month, picking up a solitary point from his three league games in charge.

"I was hoping it would be a bit easier, I've got to be honest to tell you," he said ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

"You just never know in football. I think it is a big task and I think it's a big job but it's a good job.

"Undoubtedly, we're playing against probably the most in-form team in the league as everybody can see. But that doesn't mean to say that they are unbeatable."

Source: AAP