Pep Guardiola says he had “never been so angry” after John Stones and Kyle Walker returned from England duty injured during last season’s domestic run-in.
Stones, 30, had revealed during the most recent international break that staff at Manchester City get “upset, angry and frustrated” when players return from their countries with injuries.
34-year-old Walker missed Sunday’s victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers with an injury sustained during his time with England in the last fortnight, to which Guardiola replied, “it is what it is,” when asked to give his thoughts.
But when Stones’ comments were put to him, he admitted to being furious that two of his crucial players got injured during England friendlies against Brazil and Belgium while his City team were preparing for crucial fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League.
“I was never so angry as that moment,” he said. “Never ever before I was so disappointed. It was a friendly game and we are playing the quarter finals against Real Madrid, and to win the Premier League.
“For a friendly game, two players coming back injured (he tuts six times)….no no no. I didn’t like it — at all.”
The City boss also said that clubs should be respected because they are the ones that pay the players’ wages.
“Before when I was a player, the national team manager called the clubs, now nobody talks. Maybe the physios talk but the managers never. In the first or second season with Gareth (Southgate) yes, but now no.
“I know the players don’t want to get injured, I always encourage them to go to the national team, it’s a pleasure, but if it’s a friendly game you cannot come back injured, I’m sorry.
“If you are focused, if it is a friendly game you cannot come back injured when you are playing the quarter finals of the Champions League, because they put in a lot of work behind (the scenes).
“They are the first to make a lot of work to arrive in the last stages of the season with a chance to win the titles. We are well-paid here, the club pays us, not the national teams. Sometimes you have to respect the clubs. In friendly games you cannot be injured. You can play, absolutely, but you cannot come back injured.”
Guardiola’s side play Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday before returning to Premier League action on Saturday at home against Southampton.
(Gonzalo Arroyo – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
