Yaya Toure Issues Apology to Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Amid Exit Rumours

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has issued an apology to manager Pep Guardiola on behalf of himself and his agent. 

The Ivory Coast international has made just one appearance for the team this season after a war of words between representative Dimitri Seluk and the City boss. However, in a statement on his Facebook page on Friday, Toure said he was sorry for the conduct of himself and his party, insisting he still wants to play a part at the club:

"

I wish to apologise—on behalf of myself and those who represent me—to the management team and all those working at the club for the misunderstandings from the past.

Those statements do not represent my views on the club or the people who work there.

I have nothing but respect for Manchester City and only wish the best for the football club.

I am immensely proud to have played a part in the club's history and want to help City succeed further. I live to play football and entertain the fans.

On that note, I would like to thank all of the fans for their messages through this difficult period. This means a great deal to me and my family.

"

Guardiola had previously demanded that Toure’s agent apologise for his behaviour if he wanted his client to have a future at the Etihad Stadium. Seluk had accused Guardiola of embarrassing the 33-year-old by leaving him out of City's UEFA Champions League squad.

Shortly after the statement was posted, Seluk declined the chance to apologise personally on TalkSport. "I'm not apologising," he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. "We want peace, but I'm not apologising. Apologise for what? Maybe Toure has apologised for this, but I don't know for what."

The player’s marginalisation naturally triggered rumours about his future, with Jack Austin of The Independent having suggested the midfielder would have been allowed to move to another Premier League side. However, Toure looks to have made a vital play in an attempt to salvage his City career.

During his heyday with City, the Ivorian was one of the best midfielders the Premier League has seen. These numbers, relayed by Squawka Football, sum up his goalscoring prowess:

Toure was able to carry the ball through the middle of the park brilliantly, barging defenders out of the way and making telling contributions in the final third; he was key in City's two Premier League title triumphs. However, during the previous campaign, his impact faded and his defensive duties were abandoned.

So while Toure’s agent may not have helped the Ivorian's chances of first-team football with some recent outbursts, perhaps the former Barcelona man may not have featured too frequently this season anyway. After all, the dynamism of players such as Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne has given City plenty of energy in the middle of the park.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

In Gundogan, Guardiola may have found the natural heir to Toure, especially in terms of a box-to-box, goalscoring midfielder. Ben McAleer of WhoScored.com doesn’t think City should be in a rush to recall the Ivorian as a result:

At his best, Toure would have been a major force in this City setup. Unfortunately for the midfielder, he’s no longer the same player, and in a system that places so much emphasis on intense football, there’s no way he can be guaranteed a starting spot.

Now he’s apologised, there may be a role for Toure at the Etihad between now and the end of the season; his abilities could be effective late on in matches. But if he wants to be a key man and get guaranteed football in the twilight of his career, the midfielder will surely have to move elsewhere.