Pep Guardiola has issued a rallying cry to Manchester City fans ahead of the FA Cup final, promising that he and his squad will give everything to bring the trophy home for the supporters who have traveled tirelessly to Wembley.
No fanbase has made more trips to the national stadium than City's, with an incredible 24 journeys during Guardiola's reign alone. That dedication hasn't gone unnoticed by the boss, who spoke passionately about the fans' commitment ahead of the showdown.
"The message is how we have to move, run, and play against Chelsea to beat them," Guardiola said when asked about motivating his players. "This is the FA Cup final at Wembley, two prestigious clubs, with our fans who make an incredible effort to come down to London. It's not cheap. They come to support us, and we have to perform as best as possible to win. There's always a game plan you have to follow."
As he prepares for his 24th Wembley visit as City manager, Guardiola was asked if the magic of cup finals still gets to him. With a wry smile, he admitted: "I'm so disappointed English football doesn't make a stand for Pep! Many times I've been there—maybe they could give me a lounge or a box by now. But it's a special place, definitely."
Reflecting on his history with the venue, Guardiola recalled: "Since Barcelona, when we won the first Champions League with my club, and then with United in the second time with Barcelona as a manager, and many times since I've been here—semifinals, finals, wins, losses—it's really good to go to Wembley again at 3pm for the FA Cup. Two teams, two managers, and the organisation is top. It's a good game."
When asked what makes Wembley so unique, Guardiola's answer was simple: "Everything. They set the final up really well. The pitch is extraordinary. Hopefully, it will be a nice day with nothing happening between fans from both sides. We are desperate to perform well and do what we have to do against a team like Chelsea, who have patterns they execute really well."
For City fans, this is more than just another final—it's a chance to reward their loyalty with silverware. And with Guardiola at the helm, you can bet they'll be giving it everything they've got.