Pep Guardiola called Ronald Koeman to wish him happy birthday - and used the conversation to plead with the Netherlands boss to take care of Nathan Ake.
Koeman, a former Barcelona team-mate of the Manchester City boss, took a phone call from Guardiola when he was celebrating his 60th birthday last Tuesday, but he reckoned the Catalan had an ulterior motive. Ake has become a regular in City's Treble-chasing team this season. Koeman said, "I got a call from my friend Pep on my birthday this week.
"Pep wished me happy birthday, but very quickly he also asked me if I could be careful with Nathan Ake because he needs him - and I can understand why.