Pep Guardiola hints at extending Manchester City tenure amid treble chase

Yet as he pursues what would be, even by his standards, an extraordinary treble, this is a revitalized Guardiola. Revitalized but, in a sense, at ease.

It's a straightforward thing to observe, but he appears healthy. No scratches, no anguished expressions. It would be pushing it considerably to say he is at ease, but he isn't far removed.

Not during a game, naturally - then, he remains in his typical state of intense animation and restlessness - but beyond the pitch. Sure, it didn't hurt that Nico Gonzalez had just struck a stunning late winner to propel City to a historic fourth consecutive FA Cup final, but Guardiola was as composed as you've witnessed him following another Wembley triumph.

So relaxed, in fact, that he has given the players the time off until Wednesday afternoon. And if they wish to travel overseas during that brief break, they are free to do so. His satisfaction, however, stems from the position this latest incarnation of a City side has put themselves in. And it is evident that Guardiola is already enormously proud of how this reshuffled team has progressed.

He explained: "After what happened last season, there was a question mark about this season. How would the players react?

"We have arrived where the players are at their best moment. The club is defined by arriving at the later stages fighting for the title. I am so proud of that. Of course, I love to lift titles but being there and not taking a step back, that defines a big club.

"Not all the clubs can win all the time but being there, fighting against Arsenal, against Liverpool in previous seasons, four FA Cups in a row, that is extraordinary. It is time to enjoy it."

What he clearly relished about this latest FA Cup semi-final victory was his ability to heavily rotate the team ahead of a 21-day stretch featuring six potentially treble-deciding games. Sure, he was forced into changes during the second half and endured a nervy moment when Finn Azaz put Southampton ahead in the 79th minute, but Jeremy Doku's deflected equalizer and the Gonzalez stunner made it a perfect day.

And when asked about having to play those six games in three weeks - starting with a trip to Everton on May 4 - Guardiola said: "Terrible! That's why I felt I had to let all the players play today. You cannot manage these games with the same players. I need the squad."

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been touted as Guardiola's eventual replacement -Credit:2025 CameraSport

And he then delivered praise for an extensive list of players, his enthusiasm unrestrained. He even suggested Matheus Nunes 'can be one of the best right-backs in the world.'

Not like Pep to get carried away. But this IS a re-energized Guardiola, clearly thrilled by the way this team has responded to him. And if that convinces him to carry on next season, it would be no surprise.