Speaking at a press conference on 15/5, Pep Guardiola directly addressed speculation about his future at Manchester City. When asked if the FA Cup final against Chelsea would be his last visit to Wembley Stadium, Guardiola replied, "No way. I still have one year left on my contract. Fans shouldn't be so eager for me to leave Man City. They know I've had a lot of fun. 19 titles in 10 years here is not a bad achievement at all. And I'm still fighting for the 20th title. Honestly, not bad at all."

Guardiola waves to fans after Man City's 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on 13/5. *Photo: AP*

The manager's comments came amidst rumors suggesting he might depart Manchester City at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season. These whispers implied that the upcoming FA Cup final at Wembley and the final two Premier League matches would be his last in charge of the team.

Guardiola has been at the helm of Manchester City since the 2016-2017 season, accumulating 19 titles across all competitions. This impressive haul includes seven domestic trophies secured at Wembley Stadium.

His connection to Wembley predates his managerial tenure with City. The Catalan coach first tasted victory at the iconic stadium as a player, helping Barcelona defeat Sampdoria 1-0 in the 1992 European Cup final. He returned as a coach in 2011, leading Barcelona to a 3-1 Champions League triumph over Manchester United.

In a lighter moment, Guardiola quipped about his frequent visits to the national stadium: "I am very disappointed with English football. They don't support Pep at all. I have been to Wembley many times, at least in the VIP area or a private room. Maybe I have to go 24 more times."

Meanwhile, Chelsea's interim coach, Calum McFarlane, is preparing his team for the FA Cup final. McFarlane first took temporary charge in January after Enzo Maresca was sacked, guiding Chelsea to a 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester City in round 20. He was reappointed interim coach in late April following Liam Rosenior's dismissal.

Reflecting on their previous encounter, McFarlane expressed hope that his players would learn from the draw four months ago. "That was a truly valuable lesson," the Chelsea coach said. "The first half was very difficult, and we prepared incorrectly. They controlled the game very well. We made some changes in the second half to change the dynamic, playing more aggressively and controlling the ball better. That style of play proved effective, and we gained control of the match."