30 January 2024 , 14:36
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Pep Guardiola has insisted he will not strip Kyle Walker of the Manchester City captaincy after the defender came clean about fathering a child behind his wife's back.
The England star, 33, has split from his wife Annie Kilner after fathering a second child with Lauryn Goodman and took to the media to apologise to Kilner : the mother of three of his children.
In addition to apologising to his estranged wife, Walker had admitted “full responsibility” for his “horrible” behaviour which has wrecked his personal life before revealing that he considered joining Bayern Munich in the summer in a bid to escape his troubles.
Guardiola was quizzed about Walker's admission in his pre-match press conference ahead of City's Premier League fixture with Burnley. The Spaniard was reluctant to comment, though.
He replied: "I'm not going to talk about that. Not at all. I support him and Annie and don't talk one word about personal issues of my players." When he was then asked if Walker would stay on as captain, Guardiola added: "Absolutely because it's a decision for the team and not mine."
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During the same interview with The Sun, Walker paid tribute to Guardiola, describing the City manager as “unbelievable” for the support he's provided behind the scenes.
Walker said on Guardiola: “He didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t want to tell him because I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t mentally there. I can’t thank him enough for the understanding and belief he’s shown in me through four years.”
Walker has thanked the Manchester City for the support he's provided behind the scenes (Michael Regan/UEFA)Walker was voted as captain by members of the Manchester City squad in the summer after Ilkay Gundogan left the club to join Barcelona. Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rodri make up the rest of the first-team captain's leadership group.
The veteran defender, who has won 81 caps for England, has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season and seems likely to maintain that record when the champions host Burnley on Wednesday night.
City will be boosted by the return of Erling Haaland after Guardiola confirmed that the Norwegian striker is available for selection again after missing the last 10 matches with a foot injury.
The Spaniard said of Haaland: "[This is] the first time he is back. We have all the squad, we are stronger. Definitely. Erling is an important player for us. Two months out, but he feels good - we have a training session [today], but apparently tomorrow he will be with us."