'I am ashamed of myself' - Man City manager Pep Guardiola issues apology to Steven Gerrard

Pep Guardiola has apologised to Steven Gerrard for his "unnecessary and stupid comments" in his press conference on Friday, when he raised the Liverpool captain's famous slip in 2014 during a defence of Manchester City.

Guardiola was expressing his pride in City's history under their Abu Dhabi ownership after the Premier League hit the club with over 100 charges when he mentioned Gerrard's slip against Chelsea, which helped hand the title to City that season.

"I don’t know if we are responsible for Steven Gerrard slipping at Anfield. Was that our fault? I have respect for Steven Gerrard - but that moment belongs to us," Guardiola said on Friday.

READ MORE: City press conference as it happened

But the City boss regretted those comments and has spoken to Gerrard personally to say sorry. He also opened his press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Arsenal by making a public apology.

"I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comments I said the last time about him. He knows how I admire him and his career, what he has done for this country that I am living and training in," said Guardiola.

"I am ashamed of myself, what he said because he doesn't deserve it. I truly believe my comments in my previous press conference to defend my club but I didn't represent my club well putting his name in these stupid comments.

"I apologise and I said to him personally but I have to do it here as well. I'm so sorry for him, for Alex, his wife, kids and family because it was stupid."

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