Keita denies Guardiola criticism
Former Barcelona player Seydou Keita
The 32-year-old, who recently signed Chinese club Dalian Aerbin, was quoted by Marca, AS and several other Spanish media sites questioning the former manager for praising him in public and then leaving him on the bench.
The Malian international became Guardiola’s first signing in 2008, signing from fellow La Liga side Sevilla, and he says he was treated well at the club.
"I have had four magnificent years at Barcelona. I never had any problems with anyone at the club and most certainly not with Pep. I have a lot of respect for him and he knows that," Keita told Spanish radio station RAC1.
"I did not speak badly of Pep yesterday, not today, and won't speak badly of him tomorrow.
“Everybody who has seen those statements will realise they're not mine. I have not spoken badly of him.
"When Pep didn't play me, it was because he felt someone else could do more for the team. I was playing for the best team in the world, after all."
Keita started his professional career with French side Marseille and also played for Lorient and Lens before making his La Liga debut with Sevilla in 2007.
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