Pep Guardiola: Man City manager regrets Nathan Redmond outburst

Guardiola approaches Redmond — Guardiola later said he was telling Redmond "how good a player he is"

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he regrets his animated post-match discussion with Southampton's Nathan Redmond after Wednesday's 2-1 win.

Guardiola, who walked onto the pitch and remonstrated with the Saints winger, has been asked to explain his actions by the Football Association.

Redmond has since said the Spaniard was "only very complimentary and positive".

On Friday, Guardiola said: "I cannot control myself. I have to do that, hopefully I can improve."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has been given until Monday to respond to the FA.

"What Redmond said in his statement, I admire him as a player and thank him for his comments," he added.

"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 I am doing here."

'He was only complimentary to me'

Guardiola approached Redmond moments after Raheem Sterling had scored a 96th-minute winner for the league leaders at Etihad Stadium.

He began to shout and wave his arms, while Redmond covered his mouth and appeared to reply.

"He was very passionate, intense and aggressive - but he was only very complimentary and positive to me," the 23-year-old later said on social media.

"He commented on my qualities as a young English player and how he wanted me to attack his team more during the game in a similar way to last season.

"I told him I was doing what my manager had asked me to do in the game. That's it."

Guardiola said he would "never judge the way opponents play against one of my teams".

"It's so complicated when teams defend with 10 players," he added. "I said to Nathan: 'You are a good player and you have to attack.'"

City host West Ham at 16:00 GMT on Sunday, while Southampton travel to south-coast rivals Bournemouth at 13:30 on the same day.

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276 comments

Comment posted by ahmedr4370, at 12:36 1 Dec 2017
Wow - message for the FA - how about tackling issues such as diving and abuse to referees - too morally complicated - thought so....
Comment posted by User0839009911, at 12:38 1 Dec 2017
Redmond has acted with calm maturity. Young man deserves credit for this.

The pressure must be intense with Sky Sports, The Sun and BBC demanding to know what was aid, to get a comment, so they can twist and misrepresent it into a 'story'.

Media represent everything that's awful about todays society.
Comment posted by RP, at 12:37 1 Dec 2017
Odd how the FA start investigate this much ado about nothing but don't investigate Lukaku...
Comment posted by D1679115645171, at 12:35 1 Dec 2017
Absolutely ridiculous, Redmond himself said nothing happened
Comment posted by CHRIS, at 12:31 1 Dec 2017
Have the FA got nothing better to do with their time?
Comment posted by RedRose, at 12:37 1 Dec 2017
How typical of the not fit for purpose FA to pull up Pep for a verbal joust with a player and yet a United player can kick out at an opponent and get off Scott Free. It's a microcosm of their ineptitude.
Comment posted by Toontoon99, at 12:37 1 Dec 2017
Seriously!?

May I suggest the FA spend time reviewing Mark Sampson appointment / sacking, child sex abuse scandals, paying agents multi-million pound bonuses, etc, etc
Comment posted by doonhamer64, at 12:36 1 Dec 2017
I think there are more pressing situations in the world of football to be dealt with than this.
Comment posted by jorgslaa, at 12:34 1 Dec 2017
I'm an Arsenal fan but huge respect for Pep, encouraging a young player, respect is still in the game despite the PL still entertaining Mourinho
Comment posted by sams97, at 12:40 1 Dec 2017
Embarrassing that this body represents football, what a joke
Comment posted by User0858503614, at 12:39 1 Dec 2017
Thought this Pep guy was over-rated when he first came but as a Chelsea boy you've got to admire what he's done with Man city

and full marks for encouraging an opposing player to develop himself
Comment posted by just-for-fun, at 12:35 1 Dec 2017
3 words, passion of football!!!!!!!
Comment posted by Ian, at 12:43 1 Dec 2017
Lukaku kicks a player and no action, not called to explain himself.

Pep speaks to a player, who can be seen laughing under his hand - called to action.

Surely kicking out at a fellow pro and trying to injure them is worse than shouting at one?
Comment posted by Chris, at 12:59 1 Dec 2017
I'm going to go to a Supermarket tonight and wave my arms around and look furious whilst shouting at the manager that these 3 for 2 deals are excellent value.
Comment posted by The Hearse, at 12:41 1 Dec 2017
Good grief the FA needs reforming.
Comment posted by Shupi, at 12:42 1 Dec 2017
What's it got to do with the FA what he says to a player? There's been no complaint, The BBC is at the forefront of the gutter press here trying to manufacture a story.
Comment posted by Llewellyn Dowd , at 12:38 1 Dec 2017
The alleged 'victim' has said nothing untoward was said or done, so no case to answer.
Comment posted by trunky, at 12:44 1 Dec 2017
A manager says "well played son" to an opposition player and the F.A jack boot in. A player petulantly tries to kick an opponent twice and there is no case to answer to.

Redmond himself said nothing happened so why the "chat"?

The game is still rife with racists, divers and cheaters. Get the boots on for them.
Comment posted by DJuplifter, at 12:42 1 Dec 2017
Oh dear FA and you wonder why English football is going to the dogs!

I admire Guardiola's passion and encouragement to a talented footballer who is probably under performing to what he is potentially capable of.
Comment posted by ASquills, at 14:39 1 Dec 2017
For once a player shows the others how to behave, Nathan Redmond should be lauded for the professional way he has handled the matter. Most other players would have ran to the press selling their story to the highest bidder. I hope PG thanks him personally for trying to keep him out of trouble, even if the FA take action against him.