Guardiola revealed in his pre-match press conference that Phillips has conducted a medical but said a deal was ‘still not done’ with West Ham United.
The boss hopes the 28-year-old secures the game-time he couldn’t get here at City.
“The club tell me it’s still not done,” the manager told media in a pre-match press conference.
“He travelled yesterday to make a medical test. It is not completely done.
“Apparently, he’s going to be on loan for six months. Hopefully he can play the minutes he deserves that I couldn’t give to him.
“It is what it is. I wish him well. I said many times, he’s an exceptional human being, and a football player otherwise wouldn’t be in the national team for England so hopefully he can prove it what he really is.”
Guardiola said he wished he could have offered Phillips more opportunities but did take time to praise the midfielder for the professional way he has conducted himself since joining us in July 2022.
“If I give him 10-15 games in a row he would play good,” continued the manager.
“I didn’t give it to him. I feel so responsible for that.
“But at the same time, I am honest with myself, [with] the squad you have to decide what you are looking for, for different things.
“I can say how grateful I am for his behaviour on and off the pitch for many, many situations.
“Hopefully there he can find minutes like he can come back and next season, we will see what happens. Finally, finally [he will] go to West Ham and there is not one person who would not wish him all the best for his short time, four or five months, in London.”
Omar Berrada, Chief Football Operations Officer of the City Football Group, is also leaving City as he gets set to join Manchester United in the role of Chief Executive.
Guardiola wished Berrada well for the future and said the club would find the ‘right way’ forward in his absence.
“Well personally I wish him all the best and good luck,” the manager continued.
“He changed the street not the city. He has been an important person for the organisation, the right hand for Ferran [Soriano].
“He decided for himself to leave and the club will move forward. The club will find the right way and the right person or persons to move forward and do what he has done.
“Personally wish him all the best.
“We try to keep the best people here but this kind of thing happens.
“When I arrive here years ago and especially in this building like come not quite often just in the press conference, now I can come now and I don’t recognise one face. Honestly.
“People change a lot and move, you know, jobs and people new is coming.
“The club was so happy with Omar but he decide for himself to leave. All the best.”
