Manny Ita –
Pep Guardiola joked that Wembley should consider naming a stand after him as he prepares to lead Manchester City into yet another FA Cup final appearance at the stadium.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against Chelsea, the Manchester City manager highlighted his long history with Wembley, noting that the club has played there frequently since his arrival in 2016. City have now featured at the national stadium around two dozen times under his tenure, including multiple finals and semi-final matches across different competitions.
Guardiola also pointed to his personal connection with Wembley dating back to his playing days, recalling his time with Barcelona when they won their first European Cup at the venue in 1992. He added that he later returned there as a manager with Barcelona for another major European final against Manchester United in 2011, describing the stadium as a special place in his career.
Looking ahead to the final, Guardiola said he is excited to return but insisted that each match is different, stressing that past results would not influence the upcoming game against Chelsea. He also acknowledged City’s recent disappointments in FA Cup finals but expressed hope that the team can deliver a better performance this time.
The Spaniard dismissed suggestions that upcoming Premier League fixtures would affect his focus on the final, stating that preparations for the cup match remain separate. He also brushed aside questions about speculation regarding his future at the club, responding sarcastically to reports linking staff changes to his own situation.
City continue to deal with fitness concerns, including midfielder Rodri, who has missed recent matches due to injury, with his availability for the final still uncertain.
