Pep Guardiola He is experiencing one of the most delicate moments of his coaching career. Her Manchester City missed a 3-0 lead against the Feyenoord this last day of Champions Leagueclosing the match in a draw which tasted like a defeat at the Etihad. This result, which extends a streak of five consecutive defeats and a draw, seems to have put the Catalan coach at the limit of his emotional resistance.
The image of Guardiola at the end of the match, with scratches visible on his forehead and nose, this quickly went viral, causing a lot of concern about what could have happened in the locker room and in what state the Catalan actually was.
During the press conference, the technician explained that the marks were the result of an episode of tension during which he unintentionally caused the injuries with his fingernails. He later qualified his remarks in a statement published in xspecifying that he did not want to trivialize a subject as serious as self-harm.
The draw against Feyenoord It exposed the shortcomings of a team that, despite its power, is incapable of redirecting the direction it has seemed destined in recent weeks. Guardiolaaccustomed to dominating through strategy and motivation, methodical and coherent, was visibly affected, revealing unusual behavior in him, beyond the nervousness that can characterize him: constant gestures of frustration, such as touching his head and burying his face in his hands.
Darren Stantona body language specialist consulted by the British media The Sunanalyzed these attitudes and scratches, and concluded that Guardiola is under extreme pressure. “Guardiola is a broken man. “His body language reflects anger, frustration and devastation,” said the specialist, who explained that “it is normal to expect these things from a person in his situation, but he has already had disappointments before and he has not been as discouraged as he was.” against Feyenoord”, emphasizing in his gestures: “He buries his head in his hands and it is the opposite of a power posture which would be with his hands on his hips and his feet apart.”
The expert emphasized that Guardiola He even adopted fetal-type postures, a gesture that denotes a desire for refuge or protection in the face of adversity: “It’s as if he just wants the current situation he’s in to end.” He wants it to end. These are the most extreme actions we have seen him take. “I definitely think he feels like he won’t be at Manchester City for long.”
And all this comes after the recent renewal of Pep Guardiola with the Manchester Citywhose contract was extended until 2027, putting aside rumors of the Catalan’s flight and reaffirming his confidence in him. The Catalan is trying to stabilize the situation and overcome this crisis despite the fact that the warning signs of his emotional state are evident. For now, what is clear is that Guardiola He faces one of the biggest challenges of his career, both on and off the field, sportingly and emotionally.
