Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed the strange reason he had for axing Yaya Toure from his UEFA Champions League squad, saying the midfielder will only play for him again on one condition.
Read: Pep Reveals Why Yaya Missed Latest Clash, Taunts Mourinho?
The Spaniard addressed the media ahead of the Citizens' League Cup match at Swansea on Wednesday, and explained that he left Toure out of his UCL group stage squad after his agent, Dimitri Seluk, ranted about the City boss.
"It was so difficult for me to leave him (Toure) out of the Champions League, so difficult," Guardiola said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
"I know him and I know he's a good guy.
"The day after his manager spoke and in that moment Yaya is out. Except Mr Dimitri Seluk comes back in the press conference or to his friends in the media – because he hasn't the courage to call me, he goes to the media – and apologise to Manchester City first of all, then his teammates, and afterwards the trainer.
"When that happens, Yaya will be part of the group and he will have the chance to play.
"I cannot accept as a coach every agent when his player doesn't play he goes to the media and speaks. I know how much Dimitri Seluk loves Yaya Toure. If he loves him, show me by apologising to Manchester City for what he did in the papers.
"I cannot imagine in my day 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 his job.
"Today, agents believe they are more than they are. If you have a problem, we can talk. Until he speaks, Yaya isn't going to play."
Seluk initially claimed his client will look for a new club in January, and that he had many offers from clubs in England, Europe, China and the US.
After Guardiola announced his Champions League squad, Seluk then said that Toure had been "humiliated" by the new manager and that manager should apologise to the player if City do not win the competition.
Toure has only featured in the Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest for City this season, but was not in the Spaniard's past four matchday squads.
Read: Yaya Retires From International Football
The news of Pep's reasoning for axing Toue comes on the same day the Ivorian announced his international retirement in an emotional farewell letter.
Do you think Toure should apologise for his agent's comments? Have your say in the comments section below.
