Pep Guardiola has admitted to openly criticising Yaya Toure in front of his Manchester City teammates, despite his good performance against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, report theIndependent.
Toure was influential in City's 2-0 win playing a big part in David Silva's early goal and his display earned him a standing ovation from fans when he was substituted off in the second half.
The Ivory Coast international has had a strained relationship with Guardiola and is yet to make a new deal with the club before his contract runs out at the end of the season.
After the game he came under fire from Guardiola who didn't wait until they were out of the dressing room. The manager said: In some things, he did not make good things - he knows that.
I spoke to him in front of the team.�
Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk who openly criticised Guardiola for leaving his client out of the Champions League line up at the start of the season has only fuelled the tense relationship between the two.
Seluk has even gone as far as to accuse the City boss of treating players like dogs� while arguing Toure had been left 'humiliated.'
Guardiola then responded by dropping Toure altogether until he received an apology, which the midfielder made on behalf of Seluk to bring the dispute to an end.
Toure has now gained Guardiola's faith, but with the manager refusing to offer new contracts until the end of the season to players who are about to expire his future at the club is uncertain.
He has a big personality and this season, he is helping us playing top, top football,� said the City manager. He will play football until he decides because he loves playing.
He enjoys playing and loves playing games. The focus now needs to be on winning games and competitions.
We will talk about it at the end of the season. He can play for big, big clubs. He can play wherever he wants.�