Pep Guardiola has detailed the toll Manchester City’s recent struggles on the pitch have taken on his life outside of football.
Despite a comparatively quiet transfer window, the reigning Premier League champions enjoyed a flying start to the current campaign.
At the end of October the club sat atop of the Premier League table and in the top three of the revamped Champions League league phase without having tasted defeat in either.
Since then though, an accumulation of injuries to key players combined with a lack of form has seen the club fall to their worst run since the former Barcelona boss took the reins nearly a decade ago.
After City collapsed late on to be held to a draw against Feyenoord last month, Guardiola sparked concern by joking the result had led him to want to ‘harm himself’.
When the club’s unwanted streak continued in defeat against Juventus on Wednesday, Guardiola met with a former team-mate from his playing days, Luca Toni, to discuss the situation.
Pep Guardiola revealed how Manchester City’s recent form has taken a toll on his life
Premier League champions are in the midst of their worst-ever run during Guardiola’s tenure
But the 53-year-old stressed that he is determined to get his team back to winning ways
‘Sometimes you don’t need to have a great team to be happy.’ Guardiola told Toni on Prime Video.
‘There are no players or coaches who don’t play for months because the results aren’t good. All that is normal and can happen.’
Toni then revealed that the recent comments surrounding Guardiola’s health had left him concerned.
Guardiola responded to insist that he is confident the current malaise will pass but admitted he is suffering as a result of the accumulation of stress.
He said: ‘I am a person who sometimes gets nervous, I have bad days, I make a lot of mistakes and rudeness makes me nervous.
‘Do I sometimes lose my head? Yes. I sleep worse and I don’t digest food properly now. I always have to eat light. Only soup at night. But I am the same coach as five months ago, the one who won the Premier League title.
‘If I’m in a bad mood, it’s bad. But I know it will pass. The same when I’m very happy. I know it will pass’
‘I sincerely believe that it will be a year of great difficulties. We have to find continuity. But if we manage to get through to the Champions League, it will not be easy for anyone to face us.’
Guardiola will be hoping his side can get their season back on track when they play host to bitter rivals Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday.
