Guardiola says Manchester City season a success ahead of FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola said on 15 May 2026 that Manchester City’s campaign should already be considered a success before Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley. City have the chance to add a second domestic trophy to the League Cup they won against Arsenal, even after a Champions League exit to Real Madrid in March. With the Premier League title race still live, Guardiola framed the coming days as an opportunity rather than a verdict on the season.

The manager argued that performance levels across four competitions justify a positive assessment, noting that seasons cannot be reduced solely to the number of trophies lifted. He said the squad’s consistency has kept City competing deep into the calendar and that Wembley offers a separate route to silverware.

Title race context and Wembley focus

In the league, City trail leaders Arsenal and could be five points back if Arsenal beat Burnley. Victory away at Bournemouth in their penultimate fixture would trim the deficit to two, but Arsenal could still clinch the title by winning at Crystal Palace on 24 May. Guardiola acknowledged the Premier League and Champions League are the club’s annual reference points but reiterated that a season’s value is wider than those two outcomes.

City have focused preparations on the FA Cup showpiece this week, briefly parking the title chase to face Chelsea. Guardiola said the players understand the stakes for travelling supporters and described Wembley as a special stage that demands a performance worthy of the occasion.

Selection plans and fitness management

Guardiola indicated he is likely to select a full-strength side for the final after rotating parts of his attack in midweek. First-choice options are expected to return in forward areas, while the staff keep certain calls close as they manage workloads in a congested finish. Asked about holding midfielder Rodri’s status, the manager offered no firm guarantee and kept the emphasis on overall readiness.

He added that preparation would prioritise clarity and intensity rather than sweeping tactical changes, with finals often decided by fine margins. The objective, he said, is to control what City can at Wembley before attention turns back to the closing league fixtures.

Wembley record and season outlook

City are back at Wembley for a fourth successive FA Cup final under Guardiola, a run that underscores their domestic consistency. They lifted the trophy in 2023 but lost the last two finals, against Crystal Palace and Manchester United. The manager said the group is eager to deliver a better display this time and turn regular Wembley trips into more silverware.

Guardiola has one year remaining on his City contract and has not announced an extension. While discussion about longer-term plans continues externally, he reiterated that the immediate priority is finishing the week strongly at Wembley and sustaining league pressure into the final round of matches.

City meet Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday before resuming Premier League duties at Bournemouth. The next seven days will show whether they complete a domestic double and keep the title race alive, or close the campaign with only the League Cup added to the cabinet.