Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City can still consider the current campaign a success regardless of whether they win the Premier League title or defeat Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
The City manager made the remarks as his side prepared for a crucial FA Cup showdown while still battling Arsenal in a tense Premier League title race.
Manchester City’s hopes of retaining the league title have become increasingly complicated after falling behind Arsenal in the closing stages of the season. Guardiola’s side also suffered disappointment earlier in the campaign after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Despite those setbacks, Guardiola maintained that the season should not be judged solely by trophies, stressing that the overall performances and consistency of his team throughout the year remain positive.
The Spanish tactician explained that winning silverware does not always define the quality of a campaign, adding that some teams lift trophies despite underperforming, while others can still enjoy strong seasons even without major titles.
According to Guardiola, Manchester City have produced a “really, really good” season and continue competing at the highest level both domestically and in cup competitions.
City temporarily paused their Premier League pursuit to focus on the FA Cup final, where they will be appearing at Wembley for a fourth consecutive final appearance.
Guardiola hinted that he would field a strong lineup against Chelsea instead of resting key players for the remaining league fixtures, underlining the importance of the FA Cup and the expectations of supporters travelling to London.
He stressed that the club remains fully committed to winning the trophy and delivering a strong performance for fans despite the pressure of the ongoing title race.
The City manager also admitted his team is eager to avoid another disappointment after losing the last two FA Cup finals against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Guardiola described Wembley Stadium as a special venue and said his players are highly motivated to finally reclaim the trophy after recent final defeats.
Speaking humorously about his numerous appearances at Wembley with Manchester City, Guardiola joked that after so many visits, he expected at least a lounge or hospitality box at the stadium to be named after him.
The manager also addressed speculation surrounding changes within his coaching staff and his own future at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola, whose current contract expires next year, responded playfully to reports linking some of his assistants with possible exits from the club, dismissing the rumours with sarcasm before declining to give further details.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over the fitness of key midfielder Rodri ahead of the final, with Guardiola refusing to confirm whether the influential player would start against Chelsea.
Manchester City now face a defining few days in their season as they chase another domestic trophy while attempting to close the gap on Arsenal in one of the tightest Premier League title races in recent years.
