Pep Guardiola has issued a statement addressing his comments after Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League.
Guardiola appeared for post-match duties with a cut on his nose and scratch marks on his head after City threw away a three-goal lead, extending their winless run to six games.
When asked about it by a journalist, he said: “Yeah, my finger here. My nail. I want to harm myself.”
Now, the Spaniard has addressed that comment in a thread of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Guardiola said: “I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this.
“My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.
“I know that many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of the ways in people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.”
Speaking after the game, City defender Nathan Ake said the result ‘felt like a defeat’, as they became the first side in Champions League history to not win a game when 3-0 up at 75 minutes.
On Tuesday night, Guardiola admitted: “It is what it is, difficult to swallow right now.
“The game was good, we played well, we scored three and could have scored more. We do everything and then we give away, especially the first one, and after we are not stable enough to do it.
“It’s not about no run or no commitment, but football you have to be [switched on] in certain moments to do it.”
He added: “The last game against Tottenham, 0-4, the supporters were there, applause. They are disappointed of course and we understand it.
The result extends Man City’s winless run to seven games[/caption]
Feyenoord were jubilant at full-time after scoring three times in 15 minutes to earn a draw[/caption]
“People come here not to remember success of the past, they come here to see the team win and perform well. I am not the one when the situation is bad or good [to say] what they have to do.
“These supporters, when we go away, our fans are amazing, travelling. There is nothing to do and they are right to express what they feel.”
Erling Haaland broke the deadlock just before the break with a penalty, before İlkay Gündoğan added a second early in the second half. Haaland scored another to make it two for himself.
At 74 minutes, it looked certain to be the game that restored City’s dismal form, but in the 15 minutes that followed Feyenoord scored three to end the hosts’ hopes of a long-awaited victory.
Anis Hadj-Moussa scored first and Santiago Giménez added a second for the Eredivisie side, both of which coming from Josko Gvardiol’s sloppy passing.
Dávid Hancko added a third just a minute before the end of normal time with Feyenoord fans erupting in celebration at full-time.
Manchester City have a tough clash with top-of-the-table Liverpool on Saturday, who bid to go 11 points clear of the champions should they win at Anfield.