Manager who told Anthony Gordon 'f*** you' at World Cup addresses viral incident ahead of reunion

Javier Aguirre has apologised to Anthony Gordon after directing an expletive at the Barcelona forward during Mexico's World Cup clash against England.

The Three Lions famously advanced into the World Cup quarter-finals with 10 men after beating Mexico 3-2 in the Azteca. Jude Bellingham's brace was complemented by a Harry Kane strike, as Thomas Tuchel's side produced a magnificent performance against the odds.

England's incredible victory will also be remembered for the moment Mexico head coach Aguirre swore at Gordon. During a first-half hydration break, the 67-year-old shouted, “Gordon, f*** you,” in a moment that went viral across social media.

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Javier Aguirre issues Anthony Gordon apology after viral World Cup moment

Aguirre took his frustration out on the Barcelona forward after he ran his full-back Jorge Sanchez ragged during the match, and when discussing the incident, the 25-year-old saw the funny side.

"I remembered it," Gordon said after the epic five-goal thriller in July. "It's just a bit of fun.

"With all the heat and tension around the game, it was a bit of fun. I'd just run the full-back down the line, so it was a bit of a compliment from him. That's how I took it anyway."

Aguirre, who stepped down as El Tri head coach following the conclusion of his contract in the summer, has since been named Valencia's new boss following Carlos Corberan's sacking.

The veteran manager will now face a reunion with Gordon in January 2027 when his side travels to the Nou Camp.

"I’m going to do it like this,” when asked what he will say to the Englishman before covering his mouth.

He went on to add: “It was a silly thing to do. A spur-of-the-moment thing in the World Cup frenzy, these things happen, that’s it.

“I’m not going to dwell on it. I greeted him warmly, there’s a really nice photo, maybe I’ll ask him to sign it for my kids. He speaks Spanish well, that guy.”

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Anthony Gordon has impressed Barcelona with his Spanish

Valencia's new boss ended the press conference by complimenting Gordon's Spanish.

The former Newcastle man was learning the language long before his £69million move to Barca was confirmed in the summer.

In fact, it took him just six lessons to learn some fluent Spanish during his unveiling. "It's difficult. People always see the end results and they assume it's easy because, obviously when you practice a little bit and it becomes easier," Gordon said at the start of September.

"But it's really difficult because you're learning a completely new language. You're trying to translate everything you're thinking in English to Spanish. So it's really hard."

"I wouldn't say I am intellectually smart," he added. "As I said in the press conference, I always kind of spoke a little bit of Spanish with my Spanish physio [at Newcastle] for that reason."

The electric winger - who scored during England's 3-2 defeat to Spain - has made a flying start to life at the Nou Camp with five assists in six league appearances.