JAKARTA – Pep Guardiola has given Manchester City players who are back on track to chase the treble permission to travel anywhere after last weekend.
The Citizens, who reached the FA Cup final on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with a victory over Southampton, have eight days off before returning to action in the Premier League against Everton on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
The pause, according to Guardiola, is his squad’s last chance to recharge.
They have six games remaining, all of which will be played in 21 days, with victory in each potentially securing an unprecedented second domestic treble.
“We have eight days until we go to Liverpool to play against Everton. They can do whatever they want.”
“If they want to travel anywhere, they are completely free. As long as they return on Wednesday afternoon (April 29, 2026 local time) for training.”
“I’ve learned in this country, the more days off you have, the better the team plays. Managers believe the more you train, the better you play, but I’m really the opposite.”
“You have to train, of course, but you also have to be fresh at the time of the game. I have learned it. At first I trained a lot, but now I am at home and spend quality time,” said Guardiola.
Guardiola hopes to be able to rely on the full depth of his squad for the rest of the season. They have little room for error in the English League.
With five games remaining, they are three points behind Arsenal, who have played one game more. That gap could grow to six points by the time they play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the Gunners playing first next weekend.
Their schedule is still not final with the matches against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace still to be rescheduled, while the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16, 2026 will add to the schedule’s density.
“I need a squad, we need a squad. We need everything. We can’t play these numbers of games – every three days, every three days – with the same players. It’s not possible.”
“We have to manage a good rotation and everyone has to make a step forward. Of course I demand more from some of them. I want more and more and more, but this is what you have to do,” said Guardiola.
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