Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has clarified his Initial comment about thinking of hurting himself over the club’s poor run of games.
Before Manchester City’s unexpected 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, November 26, Pep Guardiola arrived at the Etihad Stadium with a significant gash to his nose, which raised eyebrows among fans and media alike as they prepared for the match.
The game saw Guardiola’s team take a commanding lead, with two goals from star striker Erling Haaland and another from midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, putting City ahead 3-0 early in the second half.
However, what started as a promising performance spiralled into disappointment as the club’s defence faltered, allowing Feyenoord to equalize dramatically during the last 15 minutes.
After the match, reporters were eager to ask Guardiola about the injuries he sustained. When queried about the cut on his nose, Guardiola replied, “I cut it with my finger,” before jokingly adding, “I want to hurt myself.” The remark, delivered with a lighthearted smile, quickly caught the attention of social media, leading to varying interpretations and a wave of criticism.
Recognizing the growing concern surrounding his comments, Guardiola later issued a clarification through his Instagram page.
He said he was “caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference” and acknowledged that his initial response was not appropriate. “My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self-harm,” Guardiola emphasized.
The Spanish manager went on to address the importance of mental health awareness, stating, “I know that many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of how people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing [email protected].”
