Manchester City were left unhappy at the way their final Premier League games have been scheduled and Pep Guardiola has had his say
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola(Image: Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola shrugged off Manchester City's fixture problems as he challenged his players to show they can conquer English football. The City boss said that the schedule 'could be better' but believes it is a longstanding part of the game that people must accept when they decide to play in the league.
City were left fuming this week when the Premier League rejected a number of fixture proposals to leave them with the toughest schedule they could have got for the remaining weeks of the season. After hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday, May 13, City have the FA Cup final at Wembley three days later and then must go back down to Bournemouth the following Tuesday.
Arsenal have their own issues, having to play league games with Newcastle, Fulham and West Ham around their Champions League semi-final with Atletico. The Gunners went back to the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, although goal difference could yet be the only way to split the two teams.
But City were still left unsatisfied by the Premier League decisions, even with the complications that had to be taken into account. Guardiola would rather have a different end to the season, yet can remember back when he was at Barcelona that there have always been scheduling issues in English football.
"It is what it is," he said. "I would prefer to play the Champions League semi-final. When we won the Treble and Quadruple we always had this kind of calendar. Of course, it could be better, but I never expected from a long time ago something. It is what it is. We will adapt and play game by game. The calendar, the broadcasters, the Premier League or whoever has decided, we will be there with 11 players plus people on the bench.
"Here it is what it is. We have to adapt. If you don't like [it], go to train in France or Portugal. I like to be here and I said when I was in Barcelona and all the managers here complaining about the schedule. It is what it is. I never expect differently. They decide to play, we will play."