Pep Guardiola has conceded that he wouldn't be surprised if Manchester City let him go after a string of poor results. The team's form has dipped significantly, with just one win in their last ten outings, the most recent of those a 2-0 loss to Juventus on Wednesday.
This leaves them languishing at 22nd in the Champions League standings and trailing in fourth in the Premier League, eight points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool. Despite his impressive track record since joining City in 2016, Guardiola is facing an unprecedented slump.
Ilkay Gundogan attributed the team's woes to low morale and a "mental issue" but Guardiola dismissed this notion post-match, maintaining that his squad performed well against Juventus. However, in a candid conversation with ex-Brescia colleague Luca Toni on Prime Video Sport, Guardiola opened up about the personal toll of City's downturn, 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.
"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."
Guardiola has admitted he is sleeping poorly and having digestive issues. "I sleep badly and I don't digest food well," he added. "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."
In his post-match press conference, Guardiola was reflective, stating, "Of course I question myself but I'm stable in good moments and bad moments. 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."