Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night, extending their sorry run to just one win in ten games in all competitions
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Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola outlined Man City's struggles(Image: PA)
Pep Guardiola has conceded that he wouldn't be surprised if Manchester City were to dismiss him after a string of poor results. The team has managed only one win in their last 10 games, culminating in a 2-0 loss to Juventus on Wednesday.
They're currently placed 22nd in the Champions League table, trailing five points behind the automatic qualification spots with just two matches remaining. Fourth in the Premier League, City are eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand.
Since taking the helm at City in 2016, Guardiola has enjoyed significant success, but this marks his first encounter with such a severe slump. Ilkay Gundogan has attributed the team's current woes to low confidence and a "mental issue" as their season appears to be at risk of unravelling.
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However, Guardiola dismissed Gundogan's comments following the defeat in Turin, staunchly defending his team's performance against Juventus. Yet, in a candid conversation with former Brescia teammate Luca Toni on Prime Video Sport, Guardiola offered insight into how the team's form is impacting his personal life, saying: "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 also addressed the much-discussed scratch mark on his nose and head, admitting: "The nails, yes I did them on my nose. 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. 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 reflected on his team's current form and outlook in his post-match press conference as well. "Of course I question myself but I'm stable in good moments and bad moments," he continued.
"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."