Pep Guardiola has shown once again why he is, arguably, the best manager in the world by putting Yaya Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk in his place over the player’s situation at Manchester City.
With all due respect to agents, once they have negotiated the transfer of a player it is up to the manager whether he plays him or not, no matter who he is, and he doesn’t have to explain his decision to anyone other than perhaps the player himself and his superiors.
Of course the agent has to look after the best interests of his player but he is certainly not doing that by going public, insulting the club, and in effect making matters worse. To suggest that Guardiola had humiliated Toure by leaving him out of the Champions League squad was at best confrontational and at worst stupid.
Guardiola was clearly infuriated by Seluk’s remarks which explains why Toure, one of the most talented stars to have played for the club, has been effectively frozen out. You could argue that it is a little unfair to punish the player for something his agent has said, but this is not the first time Seluk has made controversial remarks about City’s treatment of Toure. You assume he does so with the player’s blessing. If not, then perhaps Yaya should get a new agent.
What I really applaud is that, at last, a manager has taken on an agent over a big-name player, something that other coaches have been reluctant to do, although I suspect Sir Alex Ferguson gave one or two a hard time in private. Agents do have a role to play in the game and if one of their players is unhappy and wants them to help, fine, but taking it into the public arena is sure to provoke fallout.
Guardiola is right to demand an apology from Seluk for disrespecting him and the club and the ultimatum of either apologise or Yaya will never play for the club again – and don’t expect him to back down – seems reasonable, in the circumstances.
Toure’s future at the club after Guardiola arrived was uncertain. He has been sensational but his best days are now behind him, and his decision to retire from international football which, coincidentally, was announced yesterday, is testimony to that. This is another reason why Seluk should have kept his mouth shut and discussed his issues with the club in private.
Managers run football clubs, not agents and, not before time, Guardiola is making that more than clear. Incredibly, last night, Seluk inflamed the situation in a new war of words, saying, among other things: “Guardiola wins a few games and thinks he is king.” I’ve got news for Seluk – at Man City, he is.
