Pep Guardiola threatens to end Yaya Toure's City career on day he retires from international duty

Toure announced via social media that he would be retiring from international duty with the Ivory Coast, bringing to an end a career which has seen him win 113 caps, score 19 goals, and lift the African Cup of Nations trophy as captain in 2015.

Toure's announcement was quickly overshadowed, however, by a threat from his club manager Pep Guardiola threatening to end his career at Manchester City over comments made by the player's manager.

Since Guardiola took over at City Toure has been more or less frozen out and most expected the midfielder to leave the club over the summer but he stayed put. In that context it was no surprise when the City boss left the midfielder out of his squad for the Champions League - but the decision prompted an angry reaction from the player's agent, Dimitri Seluk, who said that, "if City don’t win the Champions League then I hope that Pep has got the balls to say that he was wrong to humiliate a great player like Yaya."

However Guardiola has now hit back at Seluk and said whilst it was tough for him to leave Toure out of his squad the situation is now clear, until Seluk apologises he will not be available for selection.

"He must apologise. If he doesn't, he won't play," Guardiola said.

Guardiola's threat took the focus away from Toure's emotional post on social media announcing that he was quitting the national team.

"The writing of this note was without doubt 'the most difficult game of my life,'" wrote Toure on Facebook, explaining his decision to call it a day.

"After 14 years playing for Les Elephants I have decided to end my adventure playing for the Ivory Coast, some decisions are difficult to take but it is time to pass things on to other players. I thank all my supporters and my fans....

"Football, gave me a lot. He taught me a lot of things, the things of life. It is one of the most important lessons in my life. Thanks to you! God bless you!" his note concluded.

There emotion of a very different kind shown by Guardiola, however, while speaking at his press conference ahead of the EFL Cup game against Swansea City.

Guardiola claimed that it had been hard for him to drop Tour for the Champions League, saying, "It was so difficult for me to put him out in the Champions League, so difficult.

"I know him, I know he’s a good good guy, but it was difficult for me... But the day after his manager spoke. At that moment Yaya was out.

"[Toure will be out] until Mr Dmitri Seluk comes back in the press conference, or his friends in the media, he has the courage to call me, go to the media and apologise to Manchester City...

"When that happens Yaya will be part of the group and he will have the same chance to play all the games...

"I know how Dmitri Seluk loves Yaya Toure, if he loves me, show me and apologise to Manchester City."

Guardiola then went on to say that he could scarcely believe what had happened.

"I cannot imagine in my period when I was a football player, my manager going to the media and speaking against Johan Cruyff, about this and about that," said the ex-Barcelona player and manager.

"Maybe it’s a new era now, the new period changing, but I’m an old guy. I am old generation," he added

"Today the [players'] managers believe they are more then they are. If he has a problem, call Txiki Begiristain, the club, and they can talk. Until he [does that], Yaya is not going to play."