Pep Guardiola’s historic Manchester City reign has taken a nosedive this campaign.
Despite guiding his side to six Premier League titles – four of those in dominant succession – the 53-year-old’s 2024/25 season has been nothing short of catastrophic. Guardiola’s side currently sit in sixth – a far cry from the heights of rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
They’ve been uncharacteristically unpredictable in all competitions, even suffering seven games without a win at the tail end of 2024. And that trend continued as they let a two-goal lead slip away at Brentford last night.
Such on-pitch turmoil has also spilt off it, as the manager has reportedly split from his wife, Cristina Serra. Previous concerns for the manager’s well-being also arose; fans have been clashed with, heads have been scratched, and players have faced unusual rants.
In the latest of his concerning displays, Guardiola could be seen quite erratically grabbing and raising his voice at goalkeeper Stefan Ortega after Tuesday’s draw against Brentford. Two goals from Phil Foden looked to have secured all three points for the visitors, restoring a bit of order to their chaotic campaign.
However, Yoane Wissa halved the deficit with eight minutes to go, before Christian Norgaard’s 92nd-minute header was flapped at by Ortega, and the game was level.
After the final whistle, Guardiola approached his shot stopper and, in a contrast of emotions, was filmed screaming and shouting while also embracing the German. After the match, however, the Spaniard insisted it was praise being fired Ortega’s way.
“[Josko Gvardiol] played incredible! I was satisfied! The same with [Ortega],” he stated. “I said how good he played, the actions with the ball, the pass to Erling [Haaland], how happy and satisfied I am, especially with these two players and what they have done.”
Before this most recent outburst, Guardiola made headlines for what appeared to be self-inflicted scratches on his nose and head after a frustrating Champions League draw against Feyenoord.
These scratches, pictured before a press conference, were raised by reporters after the clash, prompting the City boss to release a worrying admission.
“I cut it with my finger, my nail,” Guardiola explained before laughing off the matter and stating: “I want to harm myself.” This revelation was later elaborated on by the head coach, who took to social media to apologise for making light of the situation.
“I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this,” said a statement posted on Guardiola’s behalf by his official account on X and Instagram. “My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self-harm.”
Things wouldn’t get better for Guardiola, as a week later, he would be involved in another altercation, this time with an assumed fan of league leaders and title hopefuls Liverpool.
City were put to the sword 2-0 at Anfield in December, and evidently disappointed after the defeat, the ex-Barcelona boss blanked a person who was recording him, walking straight past and prompting a response.
“F***ing hell mate, just cause you lost,” uttered the one filming – which evidently rubbed the 53-year-old up the wrong way. Guardiola turned on a dime and prepared to storm back and perhaps confront the supporter before being held back by the men accompanying him.
Whilst it is unclear what the head coach stated in response, Guardiola cut a frustrated and angry figure when he turned around to face up to the person recording the video, adding to the backlash he had been facing throughout the term.
Prior to the Brentford draw and Ortega berating, Guardiola also dug out a group of autograph hunters who had gathered with memorabilia for him to sign, reportedly in a car park near his home. “Don’t come again, I won’t tell you again. I know your faces,” Guardiola said in the clip, which was posted on X.
“Go to school to prepare yourselves, guys. You are kids. You are young… (points to a man) Well, you are not young! You are young, guys, so don’t be here wasting your time. Do you want to live a life like this? Or [live] honestly?”
When one of those being talked to mentioned he used to be a chef, Guardiola clapped back: “So let’s continue to do this, eh? Well then, prepare better, prepare better! F***ing hell, man! This is for all the people. What are your dreams? Tell me what it is, what do you dream, my friend? Go practice out there!”
Though not as concerning as some of the manager’s prior mishaps, this unconventional outburst acts as just another alarming rung on Guardiola’s 2024/25 ladder, as City’s season continues to be surrounded by dissension and sub-par results.
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