- Guardiola insisted the season should still be viewed positively
- Guardiola stressed that he has been satisfied with City’s performances throughout the season
- He said the club remains fully committed to winning the FA Cup
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has maintained that his team has enjoyed a successful campaign regardless of whether they win the Premier League title or defeat Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Eko Hot Blog reports that City will temporarily shift focus from the league title race as they prepare for a fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance at Wembley.
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Although Guardiola’s side remain in contention domestically, their hopes of retaining the Premier League title have weakened following Arsenal’s strong finish to the season.
City were also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16 by Real Madrid earlier in the year.
If Arsenal defeat Burnley on Monday, the Gunners will move five points clear at the top of the table. City can reduce the gap with a win over Bournemouth in their next league fixture, but Arsenal would still control their destiny heading into the final day.
Despite the pressure in the title race, Guardiola insisted the season should still be viewed positively.
According to the Spaniard, success is not always defined solely by trophies, noting that some teams win silverware despite underperforming overall, while others can have impressive campaigns without lifting major titles.
Guardiola stressed that he has been satisfied with City’s performances throughout the season.
The City boss, however, refused to confirm whether midfielder Rodri would be fit enough to start against Chelsea at Wembley.
Manchester City have already secured the League Cup this season after defeating Arsenal and now have the opportunity to complete a domestic double with victory in the FA Cup final.
Guardiola is expected to field a stronger starting line-up against Chelsea after rotating his squad during Wednesday’s win over Crystal Palace, where players such as Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki began on the bench.
He said the club remains fully committed to winning the FA Cup, adding that supporters deserve a strong performance considering the sacrifices they make to attend matches at Wembley.
City have lost their last two FA Cup finals after previously lifting the trophy in 2023, and Guardiola admitted he hopes his side can avoid another disappointment this time around.
The manager also described Wembley as a special venue and praised the quality of the pitch and atmosphere at England’s national stadium.
In a lighter moment, Guardiola joked that after making 24 trips to Wembley with Manchester City, he expected the stadium to name a lounge or section after him.
The Spaniard still has one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium amid ongoing speculation about his future at the club.
He also reacted humorously to reports suggesting City fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura and goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor could leave at the end of the season.
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