Following Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on 16/5, manager Pep Guardiola quickly shifted focus from the club's second trophy of the season. His primary concern was the demanding fixture schedule and the upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth on 19/5, which is the penultimate round of the league.

When questioned about any planned celebrations in London, Guardiola's response was direct: "Go home. Not a single beer."

Coach Pep Guardiola did not appear overly joyful during Manchester City's FA Cup final trophy lift against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, London, England on 16/5/2026. Photo: Reuters

The Spanish coach emphasized that Manchester City players have no time to rest, as they currently trail league leaders Arsenal by two points with only two rounds remaining in the season. "Honestly, we don't have time to celebrate," Guardiola stated. "Chelsea had seven days to prepare for the final, while we only had three. Yesterday was a nightmare."

He also referenced the challenging journey from Manchester to London before the match. "It took us exactly six hours to get here. Trains in this country can sometimes be problematic," Guardiola noted.

The stakes are high: if Arsenal defeats Burnley at Emirates Stadium on the evening of 18/5, Manchester City will be compelled to beat Bournemouth to stay in the title race until the final round. Manchester City will then host Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium in their season finale, while Arsenal will play away against Crystal Palace.

Instead of an immediate post-final party, Manchester City plans to hold a parade after their final league match against Aston Villa. This event is expected to include both the men's and women's Manchester City teams. The 55-year-old coach highlighted that the women's team also deserves recognition for winning the English championship this season.

The FA Cup title marks a significant milestone for Guardiola, who has now amassed 20 trophies since taking charge of Manchester City in 2016. In the final, Manchester City secured victory through a brilliant moment from forward Antoine Semenyo. The Ghanaian striker scored the only goal with a back-heel in the second half.

Chelsea's interim coach, Calum McFarlane, conceded that his team could not have done more. "That was a goal that happens once in a hundred plays," McFarlane stated. "There was no way to stop it."

The Chelsea coach believed his team competed evenly with Manchester City for most of the match but lacked a decisive moment to make a difference. "We played fairly against one of the strongest teams in the world. There wasn't much difference between the two teams," McFarlane added. "When we had a favorable opportunity and needed a quality moment to get ahead, we couldn't deliver."

The English coach also defended his players' fighting spirit, following widespread criticism of Chelsea in the late stages of the season. "We understand what this team is capable of. This is a talented squad," he continued. "In recent weeks, their fighting spirit and desire have been questioned. But in the last two matches, no one can question it anymore. They have given their all for the club."

Hoang An compiled