Pep Guardiola confirms major Kyle Walker decision after Man City defender’s public apology

Pep Guardiola has said Kyle Walker will remain as Manchester City captain despite the revelations surrounding his private life,

The right-back made a public apology to pregnant wife Annie Kilner this week, after it emerged he has fathered a second child with another woman. Walker told the Sun that he takes ‘full responsibility’ for his ‘idiot actions’ which have seen the 33-year-old father a second child with model Lauryn Goodman.

It has led to calls in some quarters for Walker to have the captaincy removed, with popular fan account @City_Chief claiming the England international should immediately resign. However, with the City players, rather than the manager, selecting the club skipper, Guardiola said it is not a choice he will get involved in.

“Absolutely [he will continue as captain] because it's a decision for the team, not mine,” explained the Catalan, ahead of the Premier League fixture against Burnley on Wednesday.

“I'm not going to talk about that,” he added. “I will support him and his family and will not talk one word about players' personal issues.”

Walker was chosen to be the club's first-choice captain ahead of the season, with Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rodri making up the first-team captain's group.

Walker said in his frank interview with the Sun that he felt he had ‘betrayed’ his best friend by having an ongoing affair, with his marriage all but over.

“The man that’s meant to love, care and be there for her, did this,” he said. “There have been days in this ordeal where I’ve just wanted to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.

“The only person to blame is me. I have roles and responsibilities that I’m aware of and I’ve made stupid choices. But I need to own up to my mistakes — I owe it to everyone. My actions have caused a lot of pain to a lot of people. I’m sorry because, as a family, this isn’t meant to happen.”