- Pep Guardiola was banned for two matches after picking up six yellow cards.
- He will return to the dugout against Chelsea on Sunday.
- But he is still in danger of another ban
Pep Guardiola will be back on the touchline on Sunday after serving a two-match ban, but must be careful not to risk another suspension this season.
Guardiola watched on from the stands as Man City City beat Liverpool 4-0 in last Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Etihad Stadium.
The Catalan boss was serving the second of a two-game ban after picking up six yellow cards across the domestic season so far.
He is now free to manage City’s remaining Premier League and FA Cup fixtures, but the six cards on his record have not been wiped.
This means Guardiola must be careful to avoid further bookings. If his total reaches nine for the season, he will face a three-game suspension which could see him miss City’s crucial final fixtures.
Pep Guardiola vows not to supress emotions despite touchline ban
With eight games to go in the Premier League and a possible two more in the FA Cup, Guardiola has ten games left this season to avoid a further ban.
However, given that he has received a yellow card in both City fixtures against Arsenal so far this season, it would not be surprising to see him pick up another when they host the Gunners later this month.
Still, the manager has said he will not change how he reacts in the heat of the moment, despite the risk of another ban.
Guardiola said after the Carabao Cup final: “If I cannot celebrate in the moment against that team with the way we are playing… the emotions are related to the way we are playing.
🚨🇪🇸 Pep Guardiola returns to the dugout for Sunday’s Chelsea game after serving his two match ban for six yellow cards.
— City Exclusives (@city_exclusives) April 8, 2026
For another ban to be triggered, Guardiola would have to pick up three yellow cards in City’s remaining Premier League and FA Cup matches.⚠️
[via @spbajko ] pic.twitter.com/5nJTuXCN4Y
“Sometimes we have one action and score a goal and I do not react in that way. I react when it’s yes, yes, yes – the emotions come out.
“Come on, give me another yellow card but I will celebrate, I’m not yet artificial intelligence. I’m a human being and I can celebrate. I want to celebrate.
“It’s not no respect for Arsenal or for their fans, I just celebrate with my people. I’m a human being with emotions and when I feel it I express it.”
Guardiola’s return will be a major boost for Man City
As we enter the final weeks of the season, the margin for error at the top of the Premier League is smaller than ever.
For City, it is almost non-existent, given their nine-point deficit to league leaders Arsenal, whom City have a game in hand over.
Getting Guardiola back in the dugout for crucial upcoming fixtures against Chelsea on Sunday and the Gunners a week later will be huge, as the Citizens look to close the gap on their title rivals.
With no room for mistakes, having the six-time Premier League winner back in the technical area could prove to be the difference.
