Pep Guardiola: We lost two FA Cup finals because referees and VAR didn’t do their jobs

Guardiola: Focussed, focussed, focussed on Crystal Palace

Asked about his belief in the title race, Guardiola conceded that all his side can do is focus on their own games and not worry too much about what happens in north London.

“We play tomorrow (on Wednesday) at 8pm and we go to Bournemouth,” the Manchester City manager said. “And the last game against Aston Villa here, we’ll do it too. How important is it to take it to the last game? Important is tomorrow and we’ll see what happens to the next one.

“Always I learned when you lose the focus, you are in dangerous situations. And always I think that only we can do is we have to do it better. That is only I can control.

“We lost the last two finals of the FA Cup (against Manchester United in 2024 and Crystal Palace in 2025) because the referees didn’t do the job that they should do, even the VAR, the two finals of the FA Cup.

“And when that happens, it’s because we have to do better. Not the referees and the VAR – never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned that you have to do it better, do it better.

“If you are in that position and you are better because we have to blame ourselves. That is what you have to do, because that is a coin and you have to do better, better for yourself. And that is Crystal Palace – I’m focussed, focussed, focussed.

Predicted Starting XI: Manchester City vs Crystal Palace (Premier League)

“Of course it’s not in our hands in that particular Premier League, and the other one, and always I say to the players when we arrive, and it was in Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Guys, ‘Do it, do it, do it, do it better’, because the other one is a job for the statements and institutions, those rules, and the competition.”

Guardiola’s comments about the FA Cup finals will draw significant attention. City lost last season’s final to Oliver Glasner and co and the previous year’s to Manchester United, with the City manager clearly believing officiating decisions played a decisive role in both defeats.

Using that grievance as motivation rather than excuse, turning it back onto his own players as a reason to be better rather than a reason to feel hard done by.

What is the wider context for City’s run-in?

City’s message from Guardiola has been consistent throughout the run-in: focus only on what is within your own control and win every remaining game.

It is the same philosophy that has driven some of the most remarkable late-season charges in Premier League history under his management – and one his players have clearly absorbed.

Wednesday’s game against a Glasner side who have reached the UEFA Conference League final represents a significant challenge. The Eagles have been one of the form teams in the English top-flight in recent weeks and will arrive at the Etihad Stadium with their own European momentum behind them.

“What you cannot control, forget about it” – Pep Guardiola’s honest title race message to Manchester City squad

For City, however, the message from the manager is simple. Do it better. Do it again. And keep going until the final whistle of the final game.