The relaxed Etihad manager is looking forward to chasing the treble after a comeback victory over Southampton at Wembley helped them reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the fourth year in a row.
Josep Guardiola led his team to a fourth successive FA Cup final (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
This was a desperate final line, a line that Pep Guardiola would have had no choice but to say. It might be best not to read too much into it. But before he left us with this farewell photo, we could read a lot from his demeanor.
“There are five games left (in the Premier League) and the cup final,” he said. “Then I’ll take some time off and come back next season.”
All of us, Pep? He is not breaking his contract and his current contract with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2027.
But not a day goes by that I don’t think this might be his last season in English. Some have already named Enzo Maresca as his successor.
read more: Man City player rating 4/10 flop, overcome Southampton scare in FA Cup semi-finalread more: Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal’s return to first place in the Premier League
But this is a reinvigorated Guardiola as he chases impressive high scores even by his standards. My energy returned, but in a way I was relaxed.
It’s simple, but he seems fine. There are no scratches or pain. To say he’s relaxed would be a huge exaggeration, but it’s not far off.
Of course, not when the match is being played, he is in a standard state of extreme animation and excitement, but away from the field. It helped that Nico Gonzalez scored a stunning second-half winner to take City to a record-breaking fourth successive FA Cup final, but Guardiola looked as relaxed as I’ve ever seen him since the Wembley win.
He was so laid back that he told his players they were off until Wednesday afternoon. And if you want to travel abroad during that short vacation, you can. But his satisfaction comes from the position this latest version of the City team finds itself in. And we can see that Guardiola is already extremely proud of how this restructured team has developed.
Pep Guardiola has given players like Tijani Lijnders the chance to get a much-needed start (Image: Michael Regan/The FA via Getty Images)
“After what happened last season, there was a question mark over this season. How will the players react?” he explained.
“We’ve reached a point where the players are having their best moments. A club is defined by reaching those late stages where you’re competing for the title, and I’m very proud of that. Of course we love to lift the title, but being there and not taking a step back is the definition of a big club.”
“Not every club can win all the time, but it’s been extraordinary to be there, playing against Arsenal, playing against Liverpool last season, playing the FA Cup four times in a row. It’s time to enjoy it.”
And what he clearly enjoyed in this latest FA Cup semi-final win was a solid rotation ahead of a 21-day period of six games to decide the treble. Admittedly, he had to make changes in the second half and endured a scare when Finn Azaz put Southampton ahead in the 79th minute, but Jeremy Doku’s deflected equalizer and Gonzalez’s stunning goal made it a perfect day.
Enzo Maresca is widely considered to be the successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City (Image: 2025 CameraSport)
And when asked about having to play six games in three weeks, starting with the trip to Everton on May 4, Guardiola said: “It’s terrible! That’s why I felt I had to let all my players play today. You can’t manage these games with the same players. I need a team.”
And he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm as he praised numerous players. He even suggested that Matheus Nunez “could be one of the best right-backs in the world.”
I’m not crazy about it like Pep. But this is a reinvigorated Guardiola, clearly excited by how this team has responded. And it wouldn’t be surprising if that convinced him to continue next season.
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