Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Simon Mullock & Tom Blow

Pep Guardiola pleads with Ronald Koeman to take special care of Man City star he needs

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.