Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has granted his players permission to travel and spend time with family during an eight-day break, ahead of the final stretch of the season. The decision comes after City reached the FA Cup final with a win over Southampton on Saturday, setting up a showdown with Chelsea on May 16.
Recharge before crunch fixtures
With no Premier League action until next Monday’s trip to Everton, Guardiola sees this window as the squad’s last opportunity to recharge. “They can do whatever they want. If they want to travel to wherever, they are completely free. As long as they arrive back on Wednesday afternoon for training,” he said.
The Catalan coach emphasized the importance of rest over intense training: “I've learned in this country, the more days off you have, the team plays better. Managers believe the more you train, the better you play, but I'm completely the opposite. You have to train, of course, but you also have to arrive fresh in the moment of the game.”
Squad depth crucial for treble bid
City face six games in 21 days, with every match critical in their pursuit of a second domestic treble. Guardiola stressed the need for full squad involvement: “I need the squad, we need the squad. We need all of them.”
“We cannot play this amount of games — every three days, every three days — with the same players. It will not be possible. We have to manage good substitutions 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.”
League race remains tight
With five league games left, City trail leaders Arsenal by three points, though the Gunners have played one match more. That gap could widen before City return to action. Fixtures against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are yet to be rescheduled, adding to the fixture congestion in the final weeks of the season.
Despite the pressure, Guardiola remains grounded on their treble chances: “The domestic treble is still far away.”