Manchester City's staggering downturn in form is proving a real head-scratcher for Pep Guardiola.
Literally.
Guardiola emerged to speak to the world's media after the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday — during which City conceded three goals after the 75th minute to squander the lead — with a cut on his nose as well as some scratches across the top of his bald head.
Asked about those marks, Guardiola said: “Yeah, my finger. Here,” as he performed a rapid downward motion along his nose. “My nail.”
Then he added with a smile: “I want to harm myself.”
On Wednesday, a post from Guardiola's account on social media platform X made reference to his remark, with the Spanish coach saying he had been “caught off guard” by the question and his “answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.”
Guardiola appears to be bearing the scars of the worst run of his managerial career, with City — the winner of the last four Premier League titles — having lost five straight games in all competitions for the first time before the implosion against Feyenoord.
No team in the Champions League had ever lost a three-goal lead as late as the 75th minute and failed to win the game, stats supplier Opta said.
It could get worse for City, which was humiliated in a 4-0 home loss to Tottenham on Saturday.
Next up is a trip to Liverpool, the Premier League leaders, on Sunday.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Steve Douglas, The Associated Press
