Pep Guardiola stands one match from a third FA Cup win with Manchester City, having lifted the trophy in 2019 and 2023. Only two managers in modern times have reached that mark, a statistic that underlines his era of domestic dominance.
The Catalan brushed aside personal milestones when asked, insisting that number eight for the club matters more than number three for him. Even so, insiders note that Guardiola keeps a detailed journal of each final, documenting lessons for future campaigns.
City’s route to Wembley has mirrored those earlier successes: early round rotation followed by full strength intensity from the quarter finals onward. That formula, Guardiola believes, preserves legs for the decisive spring period.
Victory this time would complete a clean sweep of domestic cup finals reached during his tenure, cementing a record of at least one trophy in every single season since arriving in England.
Guardiola has also spoken of legacy beyond silverware, citing the promotion of Academy players as critical to the club’s future. Rico Lewis’s emergence typifies that philosophy and provides emotional investment for home supporters.
A third triumph would not erase the pain of losing the league crown, yet it would reinforce Guardiola’s reputation as the most influential coach of English football’s modern era.
