Troubled Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola with the scratch on his nose during the Feyenoord tie. -AP
Pep Guardiola has insisted he did not want to make light of issues of self harm in comments about a cut on his nose after Manchester City's 3-3 Champions League draw against Feyenoord.
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The City boss was asked about the mark, and scratches across the top of his head, during Tuesday night's post-match press conference. He replied: "Yeah, my finger, here," as he performed a rapid downward motion along his nose. "My nail."
Then he added with a smile: "I want to harm myself."
The Spaniard took to social media to clarify his response on Wednesday morning, saying: "I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this.
"My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.
"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 people can seek help."
Guardiola subsequently added details of how to access the Samaritans mental health charity in the UK.
City's five-match losing run ended at the Etihad but they conceded three times in the final 15 minutes on another disappointing night. Guardiola held his head in his hands in the dugout after a Josko Gvardiol blunder gifted the first Feyenoord goal to Anis Hadj Moussa.
