Pep Guardiola has described Wembley as the "cathedral of football," and the iconic stadium holds a significant place in his career. It was there in 1992 that he became part of the first Barcelona team to win the European Cup, and in 2011, his Barcelona side delivered one of the finest performances in a European Cup final, defeating Manchester United 3-1. Now, Guardiola returns to Wembley for what could be his final appearance, as Manchester City face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Guardiola's Wembley Record
This will be Guardiola's 24th visit to Wembley with Manchester City alone, a number that surpasses many England managers. He has won 12 trophies at the venue: two with Barcelona, plus two FA Cups, three Community Shields, and five League Cups with City. However, after City's defeats in the 2024 and 2025 FA Cup finals to Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively, Guardiola is determined to avoid a third consecutive loss. Only Chelsea, between 2020 and 2022, have lost three straight FA Cup finals.
Team Selection and Key Players
Guardiola's commitment to the FA Cup was evident when he fielded a strong side against Crystal Palace in midweek, prioritising the cup over the Premier League title race. Phil Foden impressed in central midfield, and his performance could be crucial if Rodri is not fit to start. Guardiola has experimented with various midfield combinations in Rodri's absence, including Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez, who scored a spectacular winner in the semi-final against Southampton. Erling Haaland, yet to score in a final for City, will be eager to break that duck.
Historical Context
City have already won one Wembley final this season, the Carabao Cup, with Nico O'Reilly scoring twice from left-back against Arsenal. Guardiola's only other FA Cup triumph came in 2019 with a 6-0 victory over Watford, the joint biggest win in a final. Despite his success in other domestic competitions—he has won more League Cups than any other manager and is second only to Sir Alex Ferguson in league titles—the FA Cup has proven the hardest to claim. Guardiola is tied for eighth place among managers for FA Cup wins, alongside legends like Matt Busby and Bill Shankly.
Rivalry with Chelsea
City are unbeaten in 13 games against Chelsea, winning 10, but their last defeat came in the 2021 Champions League final. The two captains, Reece James and Bernardo Silva, are the only likely starters from that match. Guardiola, known for his relentless pursuit of silverware, will be determined to leave Wembley with the trophy once more.
