I Was Caught Off Guard Before My Self-Harm Joke – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has come out to apologize for a comment referencing self-harm in his post-match press conference.

He recently had his say following Manchester City’s draw against Feyenoord on Tuesday night, and fans have been reacting.

After widespread criticism, Pep simply wrote that he did not mean to make light of self-harm, and he was only caught off guard by the question at the end of the press conference.

Pep added that he knows many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and they deserve help not mockery.

His words, “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.

My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.

I know that many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of the ways in people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing [email protected].”

WOW.

Pep Guardiola Sala is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who is currently managing Premier League club Manchester City. Guardiola is the only manager to win the continental treble twice, the youngest to win the UEFA Champions League, and he also holds the records for the most consecutive league games won in La Liga, the Bundesliga, and the Premier League. He is considered to be one of the greatest managers of all time.

Guardiola has played for and advocated on behalf of the Catalonia football team. Between 1995 and 2005, he played seven friendly games for Catalonia.

Under Guardiola’s predecessor Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona were known for a 4–3–3 with plenty of flair with Ronaldinho being the centre point of the attack. Under Guardiola, however, the team became more disciplined with a greater focus on possession and a disciplined and aggressive pressing style.

Guardiola was born to Dolors and Valentí. He has two older sisters and a younger brother, Pere, a football agent. He is an atheist. Guardiola met his wife Cristina Serra when he was 18. They married on 29 May 2014.