Pep Guardiola is a “broken man” following Manchester City’s recent string of failures, according to body language expert Darren Stanton.
The Man City manager is believed to be at the end of his tether with his underperforming champions after their shocking Champions League performance against Feyenoord.
After suffering five consecutive losses – the worst streak in Guardiola’s career – City seemed poised for a comeback on Tuesday night when they held a 3-0 lead over the Dutch champions with just 15 minutes left at the Etihad. However, Guardiola’s team shockingly collapsed, conceding three late goals and settling for a draw, marking a full month without a win.
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Stanton closely observed Guardiola’s touchline behaviour during the draw with Feyenoord and his post-match interviews and press conference. He noted: “Pep Guardiola’s press conference is even more telling, it shows that he is absolutely at the end of his patience.
“He is touching his head, shrugging his shoulders and doing hand to mouth gestures. He flashes a fake smile and keeps talking about what his team already has rather than what needs to change. I think he has no idea how he’s going to turn things around.”
(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Stanton further added: “Non-verbally he is saying that they have no issues which means he cannot work out a strategy going forward which will end this run of form.
“When asked about his cuts he offers a sarcastic response and that is used as a deflection. The fact he has scratched himself is showing extreme anguish and I think it’s because he thinks that he is doing everything right but it hasn’t worked,” reports the Mirror.
He further told OLBG: “Pep Guardiola is a broken man. There are around 20 red flags in his behaviour. There are combinations of anger, frustration and devastation.
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“These are normal things to expect from someone in his situation, but he’s had disappointment before and not been as animated as he was against Feyenoord. He buries his head in his hands and it’s the opposite of a power stance which would be hands on his hips and feet spread apart.
“He’s almost in a foetal position and trying to curl up in a ball, it’s like he just wants the current situation that he’s found himself in to end. He wants it to be over. He’s going through purgatory and I think these are the most extreme gestures that we’ve seen him make. I really believe he feels like he’s not going to be around at Manchester City for long.
“He’s dejected, he’s disappointed, he’s angry, when players are mentioned he turns his face away which suggests that they are going to be in for a rollocking.”
Things aren’t set to get any easier for Guardiola’s struggling side this weekend, as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Liverpool, at Anfield, on Sunday.