Pep Guardiola's season was as bad on the pitch as it was off it (Image: Getty)
Pep Guardiola's illustrious tenure at Manchester City has seen a dramatic downturn this season. Despite leading his side to six Premier League titles – including four in consecutive seasons – the 53-year-old's 2024/25 campaign has been nothing short of disastrous.
His team is currently languishing in sixth place, miles behind rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. They have also shown unusual inconsistency in all competitions, even enduring a seven-game winless streak towards the end of 2024. This trend continued as they squandered a two-goal lead at Brentford on Tuesday .
This chaos on the pitch has also spilled over off the pitch, with reports that the manager has split from his wife, Cristina Serra. Previous concerns over Guardiola's well-being also surfaced: supporters were confronted and players were subjected to unusual tirades. Express sport delves into the head coach's tumultuous tenure thus far.
Ortega confusion
In the most recent of these worrying incidents, Guardiola was seen quite irregularly grabbing and shouting at goalkeeper Stefan Ortega after Tuesday's draw against Brentford.
Two goals from Phil Foden appeared to have secured all three points for the visitors, restoring a semblance of order to their chaotic campaign. However, Yoane Wissa reduced the deficit eight minutes from time before Christian Norgaard's 92nd-minute header was palmed away by Ortega, drawing the game, the Mirror reports.
In a strong display of passion, Pep Guardiola was seen shouting violently while hugging his goalkeeper after the final whistle, displaying mixed emotions. The City boss later clarified his actions after the match, insisting he was simply praising Ortega for his performance.
“[Josko Gvardiol] played incredibly! I was satisfied! The same with [Ortega]”, explained Guardiola. “I said how well 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.”
Ortega received mixed emotions from his head coach (Image: Optus Sport)
Scratches on the head
Before this incident, Guardiola attracted attention last year with apparently self-inflicted scratches to his nose and head following a tense Champions League standoff with Feyenoord.
The injuries, noticed before a press conference in December 2024, were reported by journalists, to which Guardiola gave a worrying response: “I cut it with my finger, my nail,” he admitted with a chuckle before making a disturbing comment. : “I want to hurt myself.”
Aware of the seriousness of his comments, Guardiola's team later took to social media to express their regret at his attempt at humor on the issue.
“I was caught off guard by a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch that appeared on my face and I explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused it,” may we read in a press release published on behalf of Guardiola on his official website. X and Instagram accounts. “My response was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self-harm.”
Guardiola could be seen scratching his head (Image: undefined)
Alteration between Liverpool fans
Things then got even worse for Guardiola when, a week later, he found himself in another altercation, this time with an outspoken Liverpool fan.
After City's 2-0 defeat at Anfield in December, a visibly disappointed Guardiola ignored a person filming him, walking past him and drawing a reaction. “Damn, mate, just because you lost,” said the one holding the camera – a comment that clearly irritated the 53-year-old.
Guardiola turned, seemingly ready to confront the supporter, but was restrained by his companions. Although it was unclear what he said in response, he looked frustrated and angry as he turned towards the supporter, adding to the criticism he had received throughout the season.
The Spaniard tried to confront the fan (Image: undefined)
Autograph hunter's tirade
Before the Brentford standoff and his reprimands against Ortega, Pep Guardiola got into an altercation with autograph hunters who were reportedly loitering near his residence, hoping to get signatures.
In a video shared online, Guardiola can be heard warning them: “Don't come back, I won't tell you again. I know your faces. Go to school and prepare, guys. You are children. You are young.. (points to a man) Well, you're not young, you guys, so don't waste your time here.
“Do you want to live a life like this? Or [live]honestly?” When someone brought up his past as a manager, Guardiola snapped: “So let's keep doing that, eh? Well, prepare better, prepare better! Holy shit, man! It's for everyone. What are your dreams? Tell me what it is, what are you dreaming of, my friend? Go train there! »
Although less serious than some of Guardiola's previous incidents, this episode is another indication that the stress of City's worrying season could be taking its toll.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2000767/pep-guardiola-man-city-stefan-ortega