- Mateo Kovacic joined City in 2023
- He has played 93 times for the club
- Kovacic has been discussing Pep Guardiola
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has praised City boss Pep Guardiola for his management style during the business end of the season.
In March, City won the Carabao Cup, defeating Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley Stadium thanks to a brace of goals from Nico O’Reilly.
They also reached the FA Cup final for a fourth successive season after edging past Championship side Southampton.
And while they trail leaders Arsenal by five points with three games to go, City could still win a treble if results go their way.
Mateo Kovacic praises ‘calm and direct’ Man City boss Guardiola
With such a strong history of ending the season in incredible form, midfielder Kovacic has praised his manager for how he handles the group.
Speaking to Stan Sport, Kovacic was asked what influence Guardiola had on his players during the most high-pressure moments of the season.
He said: “City in the last two months [of the season] are always on a high, high level. So I think his [Guardiola’s] influence is obviously big in that.
Pep Guardiola's season management needs to be studied 🎓
— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) May 13, 2026
Mateo Kovacic has experienced a perfectly-timed trophy charge time after time 😤
↳ Emirates FA Cup. Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #FACup pic.twitter.com/ngXgfx5nKr
“As the season goes on, he becomes calmer, he becomes calmer and more direct, with clearer ideas. In the beginning, of course, he searches as well for the right things.
“But then in the last months he’s so focused and so motivated. So it also comes to the players, and you can see in the past as well.”
Kovacic could still play big role despite injuries
It’s been a torrid season for poor Kovacic. The Croatian made his long-awaited return from achilles tendon surgery in October.
However, he would play just four minutes of Premier League football before sustaining an ankle injury that then kept him out until March. Kovacic returned against his former club, Chelsea, and also came off the bench at Everton Last week.
While his minutes have been severely reduced this season, he could yet be involved in City’s final games, including the FA Cup final against the Blues at Wembley.
An uncertain future for Kovacic at Man City
Despite his awful luck with injuries, Kovacic is still a valued member of Guardiola’s squad. However, it’s hard to see where he fits in long-term.
The imminent arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, along with City pursuing numerous other midfield targets, suggests Kovacic may be on his way out the door.
Whenever he leaves, though, the 32-year-old will take with him plenty of fond memories, as well as at least five winners’ medals from his various trophies won with the club.
