Pep Guardiola is feeling the pressure at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has admitted he would understand if Manchester City decided to sack him following a dreadful run of form.
City have won just once in their last 10 matches following the 2-0 defeat by Juventus on Wednesday. They sit 22nd in the Champions League table, five points off the automatic qualification places with two games left, and are fourth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in-hand.
Guardiola has been hugely successful since taking over City in 2016 and has not experienced such a dramatic dip in form before. City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said low confidence and a “mental issue” was behind the current struggles, which are threatening to derail their season.
Guardiola rejected Gundogan’s assessment after the loss in Turin and was characteristically defensive of his side, insisting they played well against Juve, but gave a revealing picture into his personal life, which is being affected by his team’s poor form.
England's possible 2026 World Cup qualifying fate as Thomas Tuchel prepares for draw
Speaking to his former Brescia team-mate Luca Toni on Prime Video Sport, Guardiola said: “Do Man City send me home? If so, I go home. What can you do in life? Life doesn't always go the way one wants.”
He was also asked about the scratch mark on his nose and head, which had made headlines last month. “The nails, yes I did them on my nose,” Guardiola said. “I am a person who is nervous sometimes. I have bad days, I mess up a lot, and rudeness makes me nervous. Do I lose my mind sometimes? Yes.
"I sleep badly and I don't digest food well. I always have to eat light. Only soup in the evening. But I am the same coach as I was five months ago. The one who had won the title, and I don't fight my state of mind. If my state of mind is ugly, then it is ugly. But I know it will pass. The same is true when I am overjoyed. I know it will pass.
Pep Guardiola is enduring the worst spell of his time at Manchester City
"I sincerely believe that it will be a year with great difficulties. We have to find continuity. But if we make it through, it won't be easy for someone to face us."
Guardiola was in a reflective mood in his post-match press conference too. “Of course I question myself but I'm stable in good moments and bad moments,” he said. “I try to find a way to do it. I'm incredibly honest. If we play good [I say] we played good and today I thought we played good.
“Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We're making the right tempo.
“We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box [at the right time] or have the composure at the right moment. But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I'm going to insist until we're there.”
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.