Pep Guardiola clarifies self-harm remark amid Manchester City's struggles

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a clarification regarding controversial remarks he made about self-harm following his team's recent 3-3 draw with Feyenoord. The incident occurred during a post-match press conference when Guardiola, addressing a question about a scratch on his face, mentioned he wanted to "harm himself" in a lighthearted manner, before laughing and leaving the room. This comment sparked immediate concern due to its sensitive nature.

In a statement following the press conference, Guardiola expressed regret for his choice of words and emphasized that he never intended to make light of self-harm, a serious issue affecting many people. "I was caught off guard by the question," he explained. "The scratch on my face was caused by an accidental injury from a sharp fingernail, and my response was not meant to trivialize the real struggles that people with mental health issues face." Guardiola also acknowledged the importance of mental health awareness and shared helpline details for those in need of support.

While Guardiola’s clarification sought to quell any misunderstanding regarding mental health, his remarks occurred amid mounting pressure on Manchester City due to their recent poor form. This added to the already intense scrutiny surrounding the team's unexpected collapse in their 3-3 draw with Feyenoord. Despite initially being 3-0 up in the match, City conceded three late goals, resulting in a frustrating draw. The match marked the latest in a series of disappointing performances, with the team having lost five consecutive games before the Feyenoord clash.

Guardiola and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan both expressed frustration over the team's inability to hold onto a commanding lead. "Sometimes you will struggle in some games, no matter who the opponent is," Gundogan said, pointing to the difficulty of maintaining control despite being 3-0 up. "But giving it away so easily is tough to take."

The pressure on Guardiola is mounting, and as Manchester City continue to search for answers, both his leadership and his comments will be under intense scrutiny in the weeks to come.