Pep Guardiola has raged over a new disagreement that will serve to poison relations between Manchester City and the Premier League even more
14:27, 17 May 2025
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is not happy with the Premier League
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is not happy with the Premier League(Image: Beanyman Sports/YouTube)
Pep Guardiola has accused the Premier League of sabotaging Manchester City's hopes of Champions League qualification.
City face Crystal Palace in today's FA Cup final, before hosting Bournemouth at the Etihad on Tuesday. Guardiola's men are fourth in the table, and desperate to secure a top five finish to book a place in the Champions League again.
The former champions asked league bosses if next week's game could be pushed back 24 hours to give his players more rest. But the request was turned down - leaving Guardiola less than impressed.
Guardiola insists he cannot understand how some teams are granted permission to move fixtures, but City are not.
It is not the first time it has happened - and the latest disagreement will serve to poison relations between City and the Premier League even more.
Pep Guardiola after Southampton vs Manchester City
Pep Guardiola raged at Premier League fixture scheduling(Image: Getty Images)
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Guaridola said: " Tottenham play against Villa on Friday, because of the Europa League final. Good decision. And I'm not being ironic or sarcastic. The Premier League make a good decision.
"We have played all the time in quarter finals and semi finals on a Wednesday away, and play games on a Saturday. This season we played on the Sunday, when we didn't need the extra day.
"I would prefer to play on Wednesday, definitely. We have been nine years fighting against this situation every single season.
"We are going to play on Tuesday night, against an intense, physical and powerful team. Bournemouth are playing for the Europa League, and we have to deal with that."
"Tottenham play on the Friday, and this is what we should do. It doesn't change much to play Wednesday instead of Tuesday, but they decide."
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Guardiola, meanwhile, has refused to rule out a surprise place in the squad for the final.
Rodri has missed almost the entire season with an ACL injury which required surgery and months of rehabilitation.
But Guardiola added: "I'm waiting on the doctors. When they tell me he's ready, he's going to start. We don't want to take a risk and make a setback."