Pep Guardiola became embroiled in a bitter war of words with Yaya Toure’s agent after revealing that the Ivorian midfielder has been frozen out at Manchester City.
Guardiola warned that Toure will not play for him again unless Dimitri Seluk apologises for accusing the club of ‘humiliating’ the 33-year-old by leaving him out of their Champions League squad.
But the controversial Ukrainian agent hit back by claiming that Guardiola is being ‘vindictive’ towards Toure.
Pep Guardiola has been blasted by Yaya Toure’s agent over his handling of the midfielder
Toure has found himself out of favour under Guardiola at Manchester City
Guardiola has taken exception to comments made by Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk
Seluk, pictured, has said that City would lose millions of African fans because of Toure’s treatment under Guardiola since the Spaniard took over as manager at the Etihad Stadium
In an extraordinary response, Seluk also called on the Spaniard to apologise to goalkeeper Joe Hart and former City boss Manuel Pellegrini for his role in their Etihad exits.
He said: ‘If Guardiola wants a war, then he can have one. I felt that Pep was being vindictive to Yaya.
He has reacted to what I have said by punishing Yaya again.’ Toure faces being left in limbo for the remaining eight months of his £225,000-a-week deal.
Guardiola said: ‘I know how much Dimitri Seluk loves Yaya. If he loves him, show me by apologising to Manchester City for what he did in the papers. Until he speaks, Yaya isn’t going to play.
I cannot accept every agent when his player does not play he goes to the media and speaks. I cannot imagine in my day at Barcelona when a player’s agent would go to the media and speak against Johan Cruyff.
‘Maybe it’s the new era but I’m old generation and an old generation agent has to make his players his job and the coach does his job. Today agents believe they are more than they are. If you have a problem, we can talk.
Toure has only made one appearance for City this season – against Steaua Bucharest
‘It was so difficult for me to leave Toure out of the Champions League, so difficult. I know him and I know he’s a good guy.
But only when Mr Dimitri Seluk comes back to his friends in the media — because he hasn’t the courage to call me — and apologises to Manchester City first of all, then his team-mates, and afterwards the trainer, will Yaya be part of the group and have the chance to play.’
Toure has trained for the last two days after having time off last week due to a migraine, but he has become a fringe player since Guardiola took over this summer.
His only appearance of the season came in the Champions League play-off against Steaua Bucharest and he has not even made the bench in the Premier League.
It is understood that Guardiola did not warn him about his ultimatum before revealing to the media why he will not play in tonight’s EFL Cup tie at Swansea.
But Seluk retaliated swiftly and told Guardiola to apologise for undermining Pellegrini’s final season at the Etihad by confirming in January that he would move to a Premier League club — widely expected to be City.
He also criticised Guardiola for his treatment of Hart, who was axed from the first team and sent out on loan to Torino for the rest of the season.
Seluk said: ‘Pep doesn’t want players with personality. He only wants players who are scared of him and will do what he says.
‘The first thing he did when he arrived at City was to pick a fight with Yaya and Joe Hart, two of the club’s biggest players. They have both been big personalities in the dressing room at City and Guardiola doesn’t like that.
‘What do I need to apologise for? I will apologise to Guardiola if he will apologise to Pellegrini for what he did to him.
Guardiola revealed he will not play Toure until Seluk has apologised for his comments
If you are a gentleman this just does not happen. Look what Guardiola did to Pellegrini. He took his job when he was still fighting for titles.
‘Colleagues should have respect for each other, especially in England where it is important to act like a gentleman.
‘He also needs to apologise to Joe Hart. It’s not right to come to England and then get rid of a few English players.
‘Guardiola wins a few games and thinks he is king.’
The former Barcelona boss has led City to eight wins out of eight so far this season
Toure announced his retirement from international football on Tuesday
