Guardiola Jokes About Having a Stand Named After Him Ahead of FA Cup Final

Guardiola Jokes About Having a Stand Named After Him Ahead of FA Cup Final

Pep Guardiola playfully suggested that Wembley should name a stand after him as he gears up for Manchester City’s fourth consecutive FA Cup final. City is set to face Chelsea on Saturday, marking their 24th visit to the national stadium since Guardiola took over as manager in 2016. This match will be City’s third appearance at Wembley in just eight weeks, following their Carabao Cup final in March and last month’s semi-final victory. Guardiola’s connection with Wembley dates back to 1992, when he was part of the Barcelona team that secured the club’s first European Cup there. He remarked, “I’m so disappointed that English football doesn’t make a stand to Pep, so many times I’ve been there.” He humorously added that there should be at least a lounge or a box in his honor, hinting at his extensive history with the venue. As City prepares to take on a struggling Chelsea side that has lost eight of their last 11 matches and recently sacked manager Liam Rosenior, Guardiola expressed optimism. He stated, “There is definitely excitement, of course. Hopefully we can do better than the last two times.” Despite City’s focus on the cup, they remain in contention for the Premier League title, facing a crucial match against Bournemouth on Tuesday. Guardiola emphasized that this league match would have “zero” impact on his cup final preparations. Amidst speculation about his future at the club, Guardiola humorously addressed rumors regarding his backroom staff, quipping about extending their contracts for three more years, only to reveal he was joking.

Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-05-15