And in the week that he banished Yaya Toure from the first-team squad until his agent apologises, Guardiola says he is not afraid to make tough decisions for the benefit of the club.
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“For me, very odd things [have happened] in Manchester City because Yaya played with them many years, [Joe] Hart played with them many years, [Vincent] Kompany played many years, and [in] comes a new coach and says: ‘OK, these players [are] out like dogs”‘.
Rather than back down Seluk – who is regarded as a father figure by Toure and by his elder brother Celtic defender Kolo Toure – launched into Guardiola on the BBC’s World Football Podcast.
The City manager, who is targeting a 10th straight win away to Swansea City today, believes his team would unravel if he allowed critics such as Yaya Toure’s agent to go unpunished, and has insisted he enforces strict discipline to safeguard the long-terms interests of the club.
“I think that Manchester City they are playing similar football to what they played in the past”, he said.
“For me, very unusual things (have happened) in Manchester City because Yaya played with them many years, Hart played with them many years, I don’t know, Kompany played many years, and (in) comes a new coach and says, ‘Okay, these players [are to be kicked] out like dogs”.
“You have to be smart and intelligent to not fall down – be quiet and focus on what we have to do in the game”, Guardiola told reporters.
Toure has just one year left on his contract but has so far only made one appearance in City’s second leg play-off against Steaua Bucharest.
“I can’t speak in his place”.
He’s not that type of player but sometimes you know this kind of action happens. They don’t want the ball.
Midfielder Toure and goalkeeper Hart have been the most high-profile victims of Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium, with neither appearing to have a future at the club.
He said: “I was happy for the ine wins in a row because a win helps to win more, but then I wanted to see the game because I knew there are a lot a lot of things we can make better, much much much better”.
Guardiola’s request for an apology fell on deaf ears, leading to yet more freaky comments from Seluk, who is known for his lack of professionalism and self-control. I already have a few offers for Yaya.
“We have to expect maybe they will play with five at the back because against Chelsea for the first time he played with five”. I am sure some clubs in England, in France, in Italy, in Spain will want him.
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“I’m not going to accept that it is easy because we work hard to play this well”, he snapped after the 4-0 dismantling of Bournemouth.
