Football fans have expressed concerns after Pep Guardiola appeared with cuts and bruises on his head and face following Manchester City’s Champions League collapse.
Man City looked like they were about to end a miserable run of five straight defeats with a comprehensive win against Feyenoord on Tuesday night, taking a three-nil lead against the Dutch side.
However, it wasn’t to be as the Blues capitulated late on in the second half, conceding a trio of goals roughly every six minutes, starting in the 74th minute and concluding with an equaliser in the 89th.
While it wasn’t a loss, it will have certainly have felt like one for all those inside the Etihad, watching at home, the squad and most certainly Pep, who looked visibly distressed by the on-pitch ordeal – so much so that he looked to have caused some cuts to his own face.
Pep had bruises and cuts on his head and nose after Man City blew a three-goal lead vs. Feyenoord 😮 pic.twitter.com/pluhOhLHa3
While some people online had initially speculated that there might have been a scuffle with the players in the dressing room, an exasperated Guardiola – donning a noticeably red brow and bruised head, as well as a cut on his nose – explained that marks appeared as a result of wanting to “hurt [him]self’.
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Despite delivering the line flippantly and grinning as he made an abrupt exit from his post-match press conference, with one reporter saying “It’ll be ok” as Pep walked off, the visible cuts to his face and associated comments understandably sparked some worry.
Plenty of people slammed the Catalan coach, stating that “mental health is not a laughing matter” and shouldn’t be joked about, many were also quick to share concerns for his wellbeing, with one person writing: “Yeah, let’s maybe not make jokes about this, he should probably take a break from everything.”
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A Manchester United fan account added: “Rivalries aside. Someone needs to check Pep Guardiola’s health. Because it’s not normal or okay to cut and scratch yourself like he has. He needs a full physiatrics check for him to make sure he’s not a danger to himself.”
The 53-year-old has since come to qualify his remarks, explaining that he had no intention of downplaying serious issues like self-harm.
My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm. (2/3)
Guardiola went on to add: “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 [which] people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing [email protected].”
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While the explanation was enough for some and has clearly raised questions surrounding the level of stress such a big job and City’s recent form has caused him, others have said the response is “too little too late”. We’re sure you can expect a follow-up statement regarding the situation on his next media day.
It goes without saying that mental health is a crucial issue and anyone struggling should seek help via vital outlets like Samaritans, the free services like SHOUT which you can access online or by texting 85258, as well as the NHS’ crisis helpline.
If you or someone you know is a current risk to themselves, you should call 999 immediately.
Not only was the result against Spurs at the weekend the first time he had lost five in a row in his entire career, but the draw against Feyenoord also saw him match his longest-ever winless run, not to mention it being the first time the 53-year-old has failed to win a game after leading by three goals.
As one of the best teams in world football, we’re sure the results will turn around for City in no time with a title-race derby against league leaders Liverpool coming up next, a statement win is really needed in order to relieve some serious pressure.
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You can watch the highlights from Man City vs Feyenoord here.
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
27th November 2024 
