Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is planning talks with John Carew after the striker accused him of showing a lack of respect.
Carew’s Villa contract expires at the end of this season and the giant Norwegian has been challenged by Houllier to prove he is worth a new deal.
But, during an interview in his native country, the 31-year-old accused his manager of showing a lack of respect with his comments.
And Houllier has now fired back, saying: “I think he’s stupid, because how can he say that. I didn’t lack respect to him or to anybody.
“Someone was asking me in a press conference do you think it’s a good time for him to show (he is worth a new contract) and I said ‘yes’.
“What do you want me to say? No? I think John is living in the past at the moment, if the fans chant their names, I’m pleased, but we should look at figures.
“How many games he played, how many goals he scored when he was playing. The only answer I can say is ‘shut up’. I don’t question his ability.”
The Frenchman then added: “If he thinks that saying ‘yes’ is lacking respect, then I’m not going to say sorry.
“I just feel that he should focus on the games. We are in difficulty at the moment – we don’t get enough points, and instead of talking about the fans that are chanting the name, he should have the players at the club chanting his name.”