Pep Guardiola speaks out to disclose the true cause of the scratches on his head.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the scratches on his head that fans noticed ahead of the highly anticipated Premier League clash against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Before the match, Guardiola was seen frequently scratching his head during a media appearance, leaving visible marks. The 53-year-old has now clarified the cause, revealing that he has been dealing with a skin condition for several years.

“I have a skin problem. I’ve been taking antihistamines for the last two or three years,” Guardiola explained. “The scratches on my nose are from my nails, but the rest are caused by the condition.”

Fans and journalists first spotted the scratches after City’s 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League last month. At the time, Guardiola jokingly said he felt like harming himself after his team conceded three goals in under 15 minutes. However, he later apologized for the comment, acknowledging its insensitivity to mental health issues and self-harm.

In a statement on his official X account, Guardiola clarified: “I was caught off guard with a question about a scratch on my face and explained it was caused accidentally by a sharp fingernail. My response was not intended to make light of the serious issue of self-harm.”

Heading into the match against United, City find themselves in one of their most challenging periods under Guardiola, having lost seven of their last ten matches across all comp

etitions.