- Man City beat Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday
- City players were given three days off
- Guardiola was seen at a League One match
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was seen in the stands at a League One fixture on Wednesday after giving his players time off following Saturday’s FA Cup victory.
City beat Championship side Southampton 2-1 at Wembley thanks to late goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez.
The win earned them a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, where they will now face Chelsea after the Blues overcame Leeds United.
Guardiola gave his players some time off after the win, and chose to spend the time watching some lower league football.
Pep Guardiola seen at League One fixture
Tuesday’s League One fixture at Edgeley Park saw promotion hopefuls Stockport County host relegated Port Vale.
Fans at the third-tier match were in for a surprise, though, with none other than City manager Guardiola appearing in the stands as a spectator.
Hope you enjoyed the show, @PepTeam!
— Port Vale Football Club (@OfficialPVFC) April 28, 2026
You can return Rudgie’s cap now.#PVFC | #PVFC150 pic.twitter.com/IhKO2CjP30
The Catalan coach was pictured enjoying the match, taking photos with fans and of the game itself, which ended in a surprising 2-1 victory for travelling Port Vale.
Manchester City must wait to play again
Managing fatigue is crucial at this stage of the season, but City now face an anxious wait until they play again.
Their trip to Everton next Monday comes after Arsenal host Fulham, meaning the Gunners could stretch their lead to six points at the top of the Premier League table before Guardiola’s side plays again.
While the Carabao Cup winners will have two games in hand, any player or manager would prefer to have points on the board.
Extended rest may help Man City
As the season enters its final weeks, there is little time to rest or reflect on games, with the next match usually just a couple of days away.
However, this nine-day break will allow tired City legs to recover, and any minor niggles to be treated in the physio room.
Arsenal, meanwhile, must navigate a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid alongside their Premier League title run-in.
The added rest could therefore make a huge difference, and give the Sky Blues a small advantage in the closing rounds.
