Sport

Fans grow concerned as Pep appears covered in cuts and bruises after Man City blow 3-goal lead

Both the manager and others online have been condemned for 'making light' of mental health.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th November 2024

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.

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’.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

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].”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
You can watch the highlights from Man City vs Feyenoord here.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Amazon Prime Video Sports/TNT Sports (via YouTube screenshots)

Sport

George Ford has signed a new long-term contract with Sale Sharks

Danny Jones Danny Jones George Ford new three year deal Sale Sharks contract

Manc rugby union player and fan favourite George Ford has extended his stay at Sale, putting pen to paper on a new and improved contract in what is a key deal for the Sharks.

The England international and Sale Sharks fly-half is one of the Greater Manchester side’s key senior figures and has remained a popular pick among supporters ever since he arrived.

With that in mind, besides tying down the Curry twins to long-term deals back in April, securing a new contract for their crucial kicker is probably one of the most important bits of business the Eccles-based team have done in some time.

Confirming the fresh terms on Wednesday, 15 October, George Ford has now agreed a new three-year deal to stay at Sale as the Sharks boast three wins in their last four games.

Extending his stay at the club until at least 2029, the announcement has obviously gone down a treat with the fan base; reactions have ranged from simple responses of “Fantastic news!” and fire emojis to nothing more than “phew…”, with many worried that the talented 32-year-old might be moving on.

The Oldham-born athlete, who has already earned 102 England caps, became the Sharks’ 358th professional player just a few short years ago.

After shining at Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby, before going on to become a fully-fledged first-team Red Roses star, Ford returned to the North to sign for Sale ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, with the Sharks going on to finish as runners-up against Saracens.

Despite struggling with an Achilles injury, he recovered in good time and came back strong to help his teammates on their way to a Gallagher Premiership final in his first season with the Sharks.

Since then, he’s scored some crucial penalty kicks and drop goals, racking up a total of 341 points as he closes in on half a century of appearances.

Speaking on signing the new deal, the local lad said: “It’s brilliant to have the contract agreed. I’ve really enjoyed my time here, and I’ve loved representing the North. The importance of that isn’t lost on me.

george ford bath rugby
Credit: Charlie (via Flickr)
how long was george ford at leicester tigers
Kafuffle via WikiCommons
He’s come a long way since his days with the Tigers and Bath, but his kicks have only gotten better.

“I drive from Saddleworth to Carrington [Lane Training Ground] every day, and I can see the city in the distance, and it makes me incredibly proud”, says Ford. “I’m proud to represent the region and the people up here, and I want to inspire the next generation.

“You see so many kids up here who are passionate about playing rugby, and I want us to be a team that inspires those kids to want to do what we’re lucky enough to do.”

Ford committing his future to the club also comes not long after ‘Ernie’ van Rhyn not only signed a new contract but was given the armband for the year ahead – both of which have been received positively by the shiver.

You can also hear what Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, had to say on George Ford signing his new three-year deal down below.

As he continues in a full statement shared via the club website, “With the players and the coaches that we have here, I feel like I can still improve and be challenged as a player. I feel the best place for me to do that is right here.

“As a team, we want to take the next step, and I’m more determined than ever to help us do that. The ambition from the club is obvious, and I know we’re going to achieve great things in the future, but we’re at our best when we focus on the next game.

“I want to keep playing well for Sale Sharks, and I want to keep influencing the team as much as I can. That comes first. I love playing for my country, but I know that I only get that opportunity if I’m playing consistently well for Sale. So that’s my focus.”

He also reiterated that, besides enjoying his rugby, being back home has also helped support his family, with his wife running multiple restaurants alongside being a full-time mum, adding: “To be around to help and support her in any way I can is so important to me. That’s played a big part in us being so settled and happy here.”

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Rugby World Cup (screenshot via YouTube)/Sale Sharks (via X)

Sport

Lemn Sissay OBE pens powerful poem about Manchester City for Black History Month

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lemn Sissay MBE Man City poem

Lauded local poet Lemn Sissay MBE has penned a moving poem in collaboration with Manchester City, looking back on the club’s cultural past and key persons of colour for Black History Month.

Born in Orrell in the borough of Wigan, the published author, playwright, and BAFTA-nominated broadcaster has made a name as one of our region’s most notable wordsmiths, so it’s no wonder that he was selected by the Cityzens to touch on this particular topic.

Sissay, also a former Chancellor of the University of Manchester from 2015 until 2022, was the first Black Writers Development Worker in the North and was awarded an OBE for his service to literature back in 2010.

Teaming up not only with Man City but the club’s first-ever Black footballer, Stan Horne, as well as other senior stars from the Maine Road days, all the way up to the modern Etihad era.

‘The Stadium Speaks’ by Lemn Sissay – a poem commissioned by Manchester City for Black History Month 2025

Entitled The Stadium Speaks, the public reading of the verses runs for just under two minutes, but even in the relatively short space of time, there is so much power in this poignant poem.

Roping in help from other past players like Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shaun Goater, as well as current stars like Ruben Dias, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Jeremy Doku, each line leaves just as much impact as the last.

Just as importantly, they were also joined by Jahmal Williams-Thomas, City Matters’ Black and Mixed Heritage representative, Bing Findlater – the Official Supporter Club’s Equality and Inclusion Lead, as well as several other City fans and staff who work throughout the Eithad Campus.

Each individual who lends themselves to the performance delivers their part perfectly and from the heart; after all, Black culture isn’t something strictly celebrated during the month of October, but throughout communities all year round – as it should be.

Sissay, 58, clearly relished the chance to dive into how Greater Manchester‘s history intersects with not only football, but racism, equality, progress and more.

Speaking via a statement on the club website: “Manchester felt like home to me, the moment I stepped foot across the boundary. I came here very early on, when I think I was 13, I came to see Manchester City play. The first time I came to this city was to see City.

“I want the poem to be owned by the person who’s in the stand watching the game. And I wanted the poem to be owned by the person on the pitch who’s playing it. And I want them to feel proud reading it.”

The post goes on to reiterate that just like all teams throughout the football pyramid, racism and discrimination in all its forms should not and WILL not be tolerated.

Asking supporters to step up and speak as and when needed, City fans can report abuse and/or inappropriate behaviour to 07700151894, which will make security aware of what has been witnessed.  

Feedback can also be shared anonymously by texting the specific block, row, seat number and a short description of the incident to the number; if in doubt, talk to a steward or police officer at the game.

Elsewhere, the official MCFC Supporter Charter sets out their zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination, and fans can also report online discriminatory abuse they see targeted at Premier League players, managers, coaches, match officials and their families directly HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Philosophy Football (via Flickr)/Manchester City

More Sport

Salford City FC reverting footy kit colour back to orange after fan vote

News

Salford City set to reverse kit colour following clear-cut fan vote

Manchester Remembers charity game back in 2027

News

Manchester Remembers Foundation announces its return for a special anniversary charity match

Manchester Half marathon freebies finisher's medal

City Centre

Five fantastic freebies and offers for the 2025 Manchester Half marathon

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches