As the Al-Nassr defender declines to respond to a question about his man-management skills, Aymeric Laporte appears to be taking a jab at Man City manager Pep Guardiola.

Aymeric Laporte refused to answer a question about former boss Pep Guardiola’s man-management style, in what appeared to be a sly dig.

- WHAT HAPPENED?
  
  Laporte was questioned on his exit from Manchester City following his final, treble-winning season in the Premier League. The defender spent five seasons under the tutelage of Guardiola and became, at times, one of the best defenders in the world. However, after numerous struggles with injury, the defender was allowed to depart in the summer and joined Al-Nassr. Speaking to AS, Laporte refused to be drawn on his relationship with Pep following his exit.

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WHAT LAPORTE SAID

Laporte said: “For me, Guardiola is the best tactical coach in the world, without a doubt. Now I see it even more from the outside, you realise. Tactically he is the best.”

And when asked how Guardiola was as a coach on a personal level, Laporte said: “I am not going to comment.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Laporte made just 12 Premier League appearances in his final season at Manchester City. The defender, who already struggled with his various injury problems, saw his minutes limited further by the form of Nathan Ake and the arrival of Manuel Akanji. The Spaniard was cast aside by Guardiola in favour of yet another new signing Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig and his departure from Manchester became a necessity for all parties.
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WHAT NEXT FOR LAPORTE?

Laporte’s Al-Nassr return to action at the start of next month in a friendly against Inter Miami. Laporte will face his former Spanish team-mates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in what is probably a secondary narrative in the clash between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.