Manchester City

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Well the signs in the past week have certainly pointed to a possible departure.

On Friday, Pep Guardiola was asked whether the following day's visit to Wembley Stadium would be his 24th and last for a cup semi-final or final. He said "no way" because he has "one more year [on his contract]".

But the playful way in which he delivered that line and quick exit from the room raised a few eyebrows and only added to what was already mounting speculation.

City won the FA Cup for the third time under Guardiola by beating Chelsea on Saturday and, rather pointedly, he took a picture holding the trophy with each member of staff one by one.

The cameras also caught him wistfully looking into the distance when the trophy celebrations were taking place on the pitch - was he searching out a family member in the crowd or taking in his final moments at the national stadium?

City have not made any comment regarding the latest developments and head to Bournemouth on Tuesday, when Guardiola is certain to be asked about his future once again. Will he provide a definitive answer or point to "one more year" as he has done throughout this season?

Guardiola took charge of his 1,000th game as a manager back in November and may bring down the curtain on Sunday by leading City for the 593rd time - the most games for any manager in the club's history.

It would be a poetic way to bow out, whether the title is won or not.

Image source, Getty Images

So, sources have told BBC Sport that Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

City maintain Guardiola has a contract for next season and are hopeful he will remain as manager.

However, work towards his anticipated exit is under way at the club and members of staff and players are of the understanding he will depart after Sunday's final game of the season against Aston Villa.

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City, is the frontrunner to succeed the 55-year-old.

Guardiola has led City to 17 major trophies - and 20 in all - including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five EFL Cups during his 10 years in charge.

What's your initial reaction to this news?

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Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola confirmed he has a fully-fit and available squad to select from for the trip to the South Coast.

• How is he feeling before a crucial week?: "Bournemouth, Bournemouth, and Bournemouth - 16 or 17 games unbeaten, their run is unbelievable!"

• On if Saturday's FA Cup win gives his side a boost: "Different competitions but of course it's better to travel to Bournemouth with the feeling that we won the FA Cup than the opposite. What will happen will happen, we travel to Bournemouth to try and get another result."

• On the challenge posed by the Cherries: "Always have been difficult since the last years, been a real tough game. We have three days, they have 10 days to prepare. They play to qualify for Champions League so they can be the best version of Bournemouth. That is another difficulty we have to manage."

• More on the must-win game against Andoni Iraola's side: "Bournemouth are 17 games unbeaten so the run is unbelievable. This season again, what they have done with losing three players from the back four who had success last season, and still again they do it. The only chance we have [to win the league] is to win the game so we have to break that run, otherwise it will be over."

• Will he watch Monday evening's game between Arsenal and Burnley: "I don't know. Maybe. I will take a look, for sure. But still, I have the job against Bournemouth to see what I have to show the players - still it's not done. So I don't know. If I'll have time, we'll see."

• On not being in control of the title race: "It happens sometimes in my life. It's important to arrive at the end with the last game to fight."

Hit play above to hear more from Guardiola, or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It's the beginning of a defining week for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, with Monday and Tuesday deciding whether the Premier League title race goes to the wire or comes to an abrupt halt.

Arsenal face already-relegated Burnley later and City know they are likely to need to collect three points at Bournemouth on Tuesday, otherwise it will all be over.

City have already won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, but can they make it a domestic treble?

And with speculation swirling over Guardiola's future at the club, is this the Spaniard's final farewell?

He made a point of taking a picture with the trophy and each of his staff at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, a keepsake for all involved.

The 55-year-old insisted in a couple of interviews last week that he has "one year remaining on his contract" at Etihad Stadium, but has not explicitly said he will still be at the club next season.

Guardiola is due to speak to the media later on Monday before their trip to Vitality Stadium.

Come back to this page for all the key lines from the City boss.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Rodri says it has been a "rollercoaster ride" trying to navigate his injury setbacks in recent months so to win the FA Cup "means a lot" to him.

Rodri missed most of last season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2024 and has had several setbacks this season due to muscle injuries.

He returned for Saturday's FA Cup final victory and played just over 65 minutes despite not being at full-fitness.

"I'm very happy to be back," said Rodri. "It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. It was trying to judge when the right moment was to come back.

"I tried two times but I didn't feel good so I had to step back.

"This was a special game so I tried my best - even though I wasn't 100% - to be here with the team."

Rodri has won every major trophy under Pep Guardiola since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019, and Saturday's FA Cup was Guardiola's 20th piece of silverware as City boss.

On what keeps Guardiola and this team going, the Spain international said: "It's a matter of winning, but also of never giving up or losing the hunger.

"The consistency of this team, the manager and the players, is the most remarkable thing. Even though you can win or lose, we seem to win more times so that's also remarkable."

This summer will see captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones leave City after nine and 10 years at the club respectively.

Rodri says their departure "is very tough" given they are his "friends" and "we have lived lots of things together".

"That's the saddest thing but life is like this," he added. "You have to move on and it's positive to say goodbye in the right way and they were outstanding in this sense [in the final].

"We will never forget these years with them. They deserve everything."

Listen to Rodri on BBC Sounds

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Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Bernardo Silva and Pep Guardiola will be sorely missed when they choose to leave Manchester City for new horizons.

Silva, 31, is set to leave the club after nine years when his contract expires at the end of this season, but serial winner Pep Guardiola has insisted he still has "one more year" left on his contract after 2025-26.

"Bernardo Silva is going to leave a hole, isn't he?" Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "He might be slight in size, but he is going to leave a huge cavity in the middle of this Manchester City team.

"But Pep Guardiola always seems to rejuvenate and regenerate his teams, the signings of Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo in January are just another example of that.

"The club will have to do that again before next season because Silva has been such a big part of this team."

Robinson added: "When you listen to Guardiola's winning record, it is actually incredible. This is a club that is engrained with winning trophies now.

"It is a regular occurrence for them now. They play at Wembley so often. They have become a powerhouse because of him.

"You can look at the investment this club has had - and you can talk about the off-field events - but somebody has still had to put a team together year in year out.

"He's had them competing consistently at the top of the Premier League and across Europe for a number of seasons now.

"Similarly to Silva, when Guardiola ever does decide to leave Manchester City, they will have a ginormous hole to fill."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Sunday Mirror / Sunday Telegraph

"Manchester City keep going from strength to strength, don't they?"

Those were the words of former Manchester City forward and BBC pundit Daniel Sturridge after Pep Guardiola's side secured their second trophy of the season after beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.

"Just when you count them out, they still win two domestic trophies and are challenging for the Premier League," the former England international said.

"It is a successful season for them in regard to trophies."

Another Wembley victory for City sees Guardiola's trophy tally at the club reach a massive 20 in his 10 years at the club.

And he will be hoping to add another in a week's time because if their title challengers, Arsenal, slip up, the Spanish boss will hope his side are ready to capitalise and capture another Premier League trophy.

Speaking on BBC One after the final whistle, former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer said: "It might not have been a vintage performance, but Manchester City have had to work incredibly hard for it."

'Semenyo stunner' declared the back page of the Sunday Telegraph after the Ghana international scored the winner with a sublime piece of ingenuity with a backheel to win the final.

We asked for your views after Manchester City won the FA Cup by beating Chelsea 1-0.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: Phew! Relief! A wonderful finish after a sluggish performance. Farewell to Bernardo and Jonny Stones, both City legends - so happy for them.

Harry: Pretty awful performance if I'm being fair to the players. But I have to credit Chelsea's set-up for that too. Cherki is either the best player on the team or the worst, incredibly frustrating. I think we needed Foden but I'm glad we won. Don't know how anyone thinks there's a penalty in that game. Pedro could have had two goals if he stopped diving. I'm proud of the season either way, there's signs that we have a good team here. Thank you Semenyo, what a beautiful goal.

Usama: Well done lads. A messy final but absolutely delighted to get over the line. Domestic double, a major improvement to last season. A club like ours belongs in these moments, challenging on all fronts. We keep going!

Colin: Great result and a great goal from a special player. Chelsea deserve credit for the way they played.

Wayne: City didn't use the wide men in the first half but completely changed with Cherki coming on. Well done City, it was hard-fought but deserved it.

John: Johnny Stones - what a tremendous gesture from another legend, Bernardo Silva, who named his dog after the aforementioned. Pep, maybe another leaving this summer? Meanwhile, 20 trophies in 10 years, so far. Wow!

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking on BBC iPlayer after winning his 20th major trophy with the club: "The moment the fire decreases, then we will go home. I am a funny guy.

"This year, I have been really good. Last season was the toughest season for many reasons.

"This season, it is every day how we behave. Maybe we took time to find some stability with the team. In the Premier League, it doesn't wait."

On celebrating the cup win: "Not even one [celebration]. You know Bournemouth (away on Tuesday). That will be even tougher. Try to go there and get a results."

On Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who are both leaving at the end of the season: "The impact of these two guys. Johnny was one of my first signings. I travelled to London to meet him.

"They will be missed so much. Incredible footballers, but we created many many good years. You have to be exceptional players and exceptional persons."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender John Stones, speaking on BBC iPlayer's coverage in the aftermath of Manchester City's FA Cup win: "It wasn't the best game today in terms of chances or how we played, especially first half. But to stick in there and fight as we did is incredible. After the game, the atmosphere and the love was shown for me personally, lifting the trophy which I didn't really want to do. I just want to stay out of the limelight. It was a nice moment, a nice touch and send off.

"I can't put it into words. I have said before, I never would have believed or thought if someone had told me as a kid that this would be happening, that I'd have a song and be so loved. It's really overwhelming. It's really special and nice.

"This season has been difficult. The first half of the season I played a lot of games and was involved. I picked up a little injury. It's football, I haven't got the answers really."

Manchester City goalscorer Antoine Semenyo, speaking to BBC One: "Everything happened so fast to be honest. It came straight to me and I had to improvise myself as quickly as I can.

"I have never competed for trophies like this before, so everything is new to me. Hopefully, we can finish the job off.

"It is a good finish, I can't lie. As a kid I have always wanted to be playing for the top teams - it took a long time to get there, but I am grateful.

"The first thing he [Pep Guardiola] said to me when I came was 'don't change your game'. He knows we control the game a lot, he still wants me to be me, still create a bit of chaos.

"I don't think there will be much celebrations tonight it is getting ready for Tuesday."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, speaking to BBC One: "Very special. I am really happy. Everything about my journey here at Man City was fantastic. Hopefully, we can still have a small dream that we can fight for the Premier League.

"Today we are very happy. It is just special for me, being my last season to give them another trophy. Hopefully, not the last one.

"Since I arrived it has been 20 [trophies], so it is not bad. That was a fantastic goal. In a final there are no favourites. The beginning of the second half, they started really strong. They were putting us under constant pressure and it wasn't easy."

On Pep Guardiola: "He changed the way I see football. 80% of my career was with him as my manager. All the things I hoped to achieve were with him. The relationship we have got is very strong with the frustrations and the achievements.

"I care a lot about Man City. That's his decision. It is not for me to comment on that. I wish all the best. I enjoy being with him having shared all these moments together."

Image source, Getty Images

On the Wembley occasion...

• There were just 16 shots in this match (Man City 9, Chelsea 7), the lowest in an FA Cup final since Wembley re-opened in 2007.

A familiar feeling in a bad way...

• Chelsea are just the second side to lose four consecutive FA Cup final appearances, after Leicester City between 1949 and 1969.

• Chelsea's Reece James has played in four FA Cup finals and ended on the losing side each time. It's the joint-most different finals a player has appeared in without ever winning the competition, along with Paul Bracewell.

Image source, Getty Images

A familiar feeling in a good way...

• Pep Guardiola is the first ever manager to win three or more English league titles, three or more European Cup/Champions League titles, three or more English FA Cups and three or more English League Cups.

• Man City's Marc Guehi is the fourth player to play for the different winning teams in consecutive FA Cup finals (Crystal Palace last year) after Arthur Kinnaird (Wanderers 1878, Old Etonians 1879), Brian Talbot (Ipswich 1978, Arsenal 1979) and Olivier Giroud (Arsenal 2017, Chelsea 2018).

Some hope for Chelsea...

• At 24 years and 301 days, Chelsea's was the youngest average starting XI for an FA Cup final since Nottingham Forest in 1991 (23y 309d).

Former England Striker Wayne Rooney speaking on BBC One: "It wasn't a great game. I thought Chelsea were good. You know with the quality Man City have that sooner or later one of the superstars will open you up. The goal was incredible.

"Chelsea had some half opportunities and penalty shouts that weren't penalties. You just know with City they can create that one chance."

Image source, Getty Images

Micah Richards added: "He has come into the team, played up front at times, on the right. It's very hard to come into a team of superstars but he has shown exactly what he can do. Arguably player of the season this year."

And Daniel Sturridge offered: "Chelsea were very disciplined. It takes those moments of brilliance. A little movement from Haaland and the delicacy of the flick from Semenyo was instinctive. That's what it takes to win titles like this. Again, Bernardo Silva tirelessly working for his team-mates. He has put so much in. Man City keep going from strength to strength. It is a successful season for them in regard to trophies."

Whether you were at Wembley Stadium or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Manchester City's performance

Come back on Sunday for a selection of your replies