Pep Guardiola Slams Premier League Scheduling Ahead of FA Cup Final

Pep Guardiola expresses frustration over Premier League scheduling ahead of FA Cup final, citing tight turnaround as a challenge for Manchester City.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed frustration over the Premier League's scheduling of their penultimate match, which is set to take place just 72 hours after the FA Cup final against Manchester United's opponent, Crystal Palace isn't accurate as Man City played Man Utd in the FA Cup Final. Considering Man City's current position in the league and the importance of securing a top-five finish for Champions League qualification, Guardiola's concerns about the tight schedule are understandable.

Currently, Manchester City sits in sixth place, having played one game less than Chelsea and Aston Villa, who are positioned fourth and fifth, respectively. These three teams are closely competing for the last Champions League spots, with City looking to overcome a narrow deficit to secure a top-five finish. Given the high stakes, Guardiola's criticism of the scheduling highlights the challenges his team faces in balancing league ambitions with cup competitions.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed frustration with the Premier League scheduling ahead of the FA Cup final. City faces 10th-placed Bournemouth on Tuesday, a match that could significantly impact Bournemouth's chances of securing an eighth-place finish. A win in the FA Cup final for City would potentially grant Bournemouth a spot in the UEFA Conference League's playoff round if they secure eighth position.

“We have been fighting against these situations for nine years, every single season and nothing goes,” Guardiola said, highlighting the ongoing challenges his team faces with the league's scheduling. This situation underscores the complexities of balancing Premier League matches with cup competitions, particularly when European spots hang in the balance.

Ready for the #FACup final 😤

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— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 17, 2025

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlighted the challenges ahead, noting that his team will face a tough match against Bournemouth on Tuesday. “We are going to play Tuesday night against one of the most intense and physical and direct and powerful teams in the Premier League, Bournemouth, who are playing for the Europa League or Conference qualification. It will be tough.”

Guardiola's concerns stem from the Premier League's scheduling, particularly after the FA Cup final. He pointed out the disparity when Tottenham's fixture against Aston Villa was rescheduled from Sunday to Friday, allowing them more preparation time for the Europa League final against Manchester United. This decision contrasts with City's tight schedule, which Guardiola believes puts his team at a disadvantage.

“The Premier League made a good decision, very good. We played all the time on Wednesday and (then) we play on Saturday...we didn’t need that day extra,” the manager said.

“People say (the schedule) is for broadcasters, more fans or followers and other things. The previous year they had more followers on the other game, not our game. They are tired of seeing us.