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’.

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.”

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].”

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.

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

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

Sport

Manchester City dedicate derby win to late and beloved boxing blue, Ricky Hatton

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City tributes to Ricky Hatton

Manchester City players past and present, club members and fans alike have paid tribute to the late, great boxer, Ricky Hatton MBE, following his shock passing this weekend, honouring him with a fitting derby day win.

Safe to say there’ll be a blue moon all over Greater Manchester this week.

The tragic news about Ricky Hatton was sadly announced just hours before the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 14 September, with the entire ground observing a ‘minute of appreciation’ before kick-off.

Manager Pep Guardiola looked visibly emotional when the camera panned to him applauding his memory in the crowd, and there were plenty of other tributes to ‘The Pride Hyde’ spotted both the home and away ends, with several famous City faces taking to social media after full-time to share their own.

Perhaps one of the most moving tributes came from Guardiola himself, who has always immersed himself in local Manc culture beyond just football, so it was no surprise he felt the sorrow in the stands.

Speaking to the media in his post-match duties, the Catalan coach and former athlete himself said: “I’ve been here for ten years, [seen/heard] a lot of minute [silences/applauses], and I don’t remember one so, so intense like today.

“I want to say thank you so much to the Man United fans because they behaved and applauded. I know he was a World Champion in boxing. It was a special, special moment. There are no words that can contain the pain that the family can feel right now for this loss, but we are close.

“I know how much of an incredible Man City fan [he was]. He lived the bad moments and the good moments in the last 10/15 years. I know for the fans how close he was [held]. The moment of applause was unbelievable.

“It was an experience I will always remember because I felt in every applause of every person in the stadium the gratitude for what he has done professionally and being a massive, massive City fan.”

Once again, he wasn’t the only familiar sports personality, blue or otherwise, who made it known how much he was admired by those in and around the region of Greater Manchester.

Both Manchester United legend Roy Keane and ex-Man City defender Micah Richards joined the Sky Sports panel in discussing his legacy as a local sporting icon.

It’s worth noting that the die-hard City fan became a key ambassador and charity champion, raising huge funds and awareness surrounding mental health.

Rest in peace to a legend and a mental health hero.

Everyone involved paid tribute to Ricky Hatton as City claimed the win over United.

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot)/SamboD (via Flickr)/Man City via (X)

Sport

Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Tameside at the age of 46.

The Stockport-born boxing legend, often known as The Hitman, had just recently announced he was returning to the ring.

Ricky Hatton was set to come out of retirement for his first competitive fight in 13 long years this December.

A police cordon is around his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde.

Greater Manchester Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

A GMP spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Ricky Hatton was one of the sport’s best-loved boxers and one of the greatest sportspeople to come out of Greater Manchester.

Hatton, who held an MBE, had been working as a promoter and trainer since retiring from the sport.

His illustrious boxing career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which time he held multiple world championships.

Tributes are pouring in, with boxing magazine Boxing News writing: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton.

“A relentless pressure fighter and spiteful body puncher in the ring, Hatton was adored for his charisma and down-to-earth character outside of it.

“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace, Ricky.”

Amir Khan posted: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.

“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.

“Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.

“Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”

Sacha Lord shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.”

Fellow pro boxer Anthony Fowler wrote: “Feel sick. RIP RICKY HATTON.”

And podcaster James English shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton.

“A true champion inside and outside the ring, Ricky’s grit, passion and courage will never be forgotten.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who admired him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Ricky. Thank you for the memories.”

Read more: Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, Aeropixels Photography

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