Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker will remain Manchester City captain after indiscretions in his private life.

Walker showed contrition this week following revelations that he had fathered a second child from an affair with model Lauryn Goodman.

The England international claimed that he had edged close to a summer switch to Bayern Munich in the hope of ‘escaping’ the furore at home.

But a dinner with Guardiola convinced him to remain at the Etihad Stadium and sign a new contract until 2026.

And the City boss jumped to his defender’s defence and maintained that he would keep the armband despite the embarrassment.

Kyle Walker will 'absolutely' remain Manchester City's captain, Pep Guardiola has said

Kyle Walker will ‘absolutely’ remain Manchester City’s captain, Pep Guardiola has said

Guardiola claimed that it was the 'team's decision' to let Walkr continue with the armband

Guardiola claimed that it was the ‘team’s decision’ to let Walkr continue with the armband 

Walker has been slammed by fans as 'vile' and 'selfish' after he admitted to fathering a secret child during his marriage to 'best friend' Annie Kilner (pictured together in 2019)

Walker has been slammed by fans as ‘vile’ and ‘selfish’ after he admitted to fathering a secret child during his marriage to ‘best friend’ Annie Kilner (pictured together in 2019)

‘I’m not going to talk about that,’ Guardiola said. ‘Not at all. I support him and Annie and don’t talk one word about personal issues of my players.’

Asked specifically if he will stay on as captain, Guardiola added: ‘Absolutely because it’s a decision for the team and not mine.’

Walker has been branded a ‘disgace’ by fans after he admitted to fathering a secret child to influencer Lauryn Goodman during his marriage to ‘best friend’ Annie Kilner.

The 33-year-old’s two-year marriage to Annie, who he met as a teenager, is in tatters after the Manchester City and England full-back was named as the father of Goodman’s five-month old daughter. 

He had already fathered a son, three year-old Kairo, with Lauryn following an earlier separation from Annie in 2020.

In a rare interview about his personal life, Kyle was close to tears as he reflected on moving away from their family home in Cheshire and spending enforced time away from his three children with Annie, who is currently pregnant with their fourth.

He told The Sun: ‘What I’ve done is horrible and I take full responsibility. I made idiot choices and idiot decisions. I can’t begin to think or imagine what Annie is going through.

‘I’ve tried to ask her but there’s pain and hurt. The man that’s meant to love, care and be there for her, did this.’

Kyle's two-year marriage to Annie, who he met as a teenager, is in tatters after the Manchester City and England full-back was named as the father of influencer Lauryn Goodman's (pictured in April) five-month old daughter

Kyle’s two-year marriage to Annie, who he met as a teenager, is in tatters after the Manchester City and England full-back was named as the father of influencer Lauryn Goodman’s (pictured in April) five-month old daughter

The footballer is a father to three children with Kilner (pictured), who is currently pregnant with their fourth

The footballer is a father to three children with Kilner (pictured), who is currently pregnant with their fourth 

Walker, who is expected to play a pivotal role for Gareth Southgate’s England at the European Championships in June, admitted he wanted to ‘curl up in a ball’ after his relationship with Goodman came to light in January.

He added: ‘When I met Annie at 17, I never envisaged my private life being like this. I never thought I would be a father of six.

‘The only person to blame is me. I have roles and responsibilities that I’m aware of and I’ve made stupid choices. But I need to own up to my mistakes — I owe it to everyone.

‘My actions have caused a lot of pain to a lot of people. I’m sorry because, as a family, this isn’t meant to happen.’

In 2020 Goodman confirmed the father of her oldest child, son Kairo, was Walker and the footballer broke the news to his devastated wife hours before it went public.

He moved out of the family home to rental accommodation in nearby Hale, Cheshire before Kilner agreed to take him back, with Walker agreeing to sever all contact with Goodman beyond his ongoing financial commitments.

In August 2022, though Goodman revealed she was planning to relocate closer to Walker with son Kairo, Walker explained how he met her at a solicitors’ office to try to stop the move, which was when met his son for the first time and the couple resumed contact.

In early October 2022, the footballer travelled to London for groin surgery and met Goodman. He confirmed the pair ended up sleeping together.

Walker had already fathered a son, three year-old Kairo, with Lauryn following an earlier separation from Annie in 2020.

Walker had already fathered a son, three year-old Kairo, with Lauryn following an earlier separation from Annie in 2020. 

Walker and Kilner on holiday in 2019. The footballer described her as his 'soulmate, best friend and right hand man'

Walker and Kilner on holiday in 2019. The footballer described her as his ‘soulmate, best friend and right hand man’ 

Kilner announced her separation from footballer husband Kyle after two years of marriage

Kilner announced her separation from footballer husband Kyle after two years of marriage

Weeks later Goodman broke the news she was pregnant again, with Walker revealing he almost ‘fainted’ when she called during a training session.

Walker kept Goodman’s pregnancy a secret from his wife and has said it was Kilner’s own pregnancy which was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back.’

While her footballer husband was away with his club, Goodman messaged Kilner on December 27 2023, revealing the truth about their relationship and the parentage of her second child.

Kilner, who is expecting her fourth child with the footballer, announced they would be separating earlier this month after 13 years.

The footballer has since moved out of their £2.5million home in Prestbury while Kilner remains at the property with their three sons.

‘My little boy goes to sleep with me every night and to not have him… I’m used to being away for long periods of time with England,’ he said, his voice breaking.

‘We say goodnight on FaceTime. But to know that I’m not with him because of my mistake – mistake is probably the wrong word, my choices – that’s what pains me.’

The split was confirmed days before MailOnline revealed he was the father of Goodman’s daughter, known only as ‘KW’.

The 81-cap England international originally broke his silence by apologising to his wife for the ‘upset’ he’d caused her, a nod to his numerous cheating scandals.

Walker was made captain earlier this season and signed a new contract until 2026 after having a meal with Guardiola

Walker was made captain earlier this season and signed a new contract until 2026 after having a meal with Guardiola 

Speaking on Sunday, he told The Sun: ‘How could I hurt someone I love so much? That’s something I need to find in myself.

‘I need to find out why I have done this and why situations have occurred. I am human and I’ve made mistakes on and off the field.’

MailOnline can reveal that Walker is fighting to save his marriage. The pair tied the knot in November 2021, but he continues to live apart from his wife after she kicked him out of their £2.4million marital home.

He will be attending all of her future baby scans and continues to be present for their three children.

Announcing at least a temporary separation earlier in January, Kilner told Instagram followers: ‘Sadly, after many years of marriage and three wonderful children together, I have decided to take some time away from Kyle.

‘I do not wish to comment on the position any further. For now, I ask that the privacy of myself and my three young children be respected during this difficult time.’

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Post source: Daily mail

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