Pep Guardiola Warns Manchester City Against Complacency After FA Cup Triumph

• Manchester City completed a domestic cup double with victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
• Pep Guardiola warned his players not to believe they are “special” after recent success.
• City now turn their attention back to the Premier League title race against Arsenal.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players against complacency after securing a domestic cup double this season, insisting the squad must stay grounded if they want to continue competing for the biggest honours.

City lifted the FA Cup on Saturday following a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley, adding the trophy to their Carabao Cup success earlier in the campaign.

Despite another successful season under Guardiola, the City boss made it clear that his players cannot allow recent achievements to change their mentality.

“The most important thing is the trophies are good and you know what it takes to compete and win and experience that but don’t take it for granted,” Guardiola said.

“You start to believe that you are special, you will just win the FA Cup.

“Special we are not. The moment that we think that, we will not be in these places.”

Guardiola has repeatedly challenged his players throughout his time at City to maintain the hunger and intensity that have defined the club’s success over recent years.

The Spaniard believes understanding how difficult it is to consistently compete for trophies remains one of the key reasons City have sustained their dominance.

“Quite often, that is one of the things that through the years, we were OK with and we know how difficult it is just to arrive and after win it,” Guardiola added.

Although City celebrated another Wembley triumph, Guardiola revealed he quickly shifted the focus back toward the Premier League title race.

Manchester City remain locked in a battle with Arsenal for the league crown, with Tuesday’s trip to AFC Bournemouth potentially decisive in determining whether the title race continues into the final day of the season.

Guardiola admitted the physical demands on his squad are growing but believes the emotional lift from winning the FA Cup could provide an important boost heading into the closing fixtures.

“The fatigue will be the same, but the energy will be different,” he said.

“Going to Bournemouth, losing the final would have been more difficult. I said take a shower and we’ll go home and then we’ll go to Bournemouth on Monday.”

With another trophy already secured and the Premier League title still within reach, Guardiola is determined to ensure his players remain focused as City attempt to finish the season strongly once again.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.

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