Man City boss Pep Guardiola hit with match ban set to miss up to 5 crucial matches
Pep Guardiola will serve a touchline ban after receiving a yellow card during Manchester City’s FA Cup tie Bournemouth
Pep Guardiola reacts during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will serve a touchline ban when Manchester City host Leicester City
Pep Guardiola will miss Manchester City’s next fixture after receiving his third yellow card of the season.
Guardiola has walked a disciplinary tightrope for several months, and finally picked up the yellow card that will lead to a one-match touchline ban for City’s next Premier League match.
Guardiola was carded in the FA Cup tie at Bournemouth on Sunday after complaining to the fourth official. And while that booking came in the cup, it still counts alongside Premier League games and means Guardiola will be absent from the touchline when the Blues welcome Leicester City to the Etihad on Wednesday.
The City manager is often animated on the sidelines, and had already received two bookings in 2024/25 for his antics. Guardiola’s first booking of the season came in the dramatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad in September after he entered the field of play after John Stones’ 97th minute equaliser.
His second was for sarcastically applauding the referee for a 93rd minute caution of goalkeeper Ederson for time-wasting in the win over Fulham in October.
Since then, he has managed to avoid a third yellow card which would trigger a one-match touchline ban, but that luck finally ran out this weekend. Unlike rules for players, there is no cut-off for bookings before managers receive a ban, meaning a manager could be at risk of a suspension for three bookings right up until the penultimate fixture of the season.
Guardiola will next be at risk of a touchline ban when he accumulates eight yellow cards, or if he is given a straight red card by the referee. Managers can also be sent off for two yellow cards in the same game.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been handed a suspension that will see him miss up to five crucial matches. This development comes at a pivotal time for the club, which is already grappling with significant challenges both on and off the field.
The suspension stems from Guardiola’s conduct during a recent Champions League fixture. In a match against Liverpool, Guardiola was sent off at half-time for protesting a decision by the referee. This incident led to UEFA imposing a two-match ban on the City manager.
The timing of Guardiola’s suspension is particularly concerning for Manchester City. The club is currently under scrutiny due to 115 charges related to alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, covering the period from 2009 to 2018. These charges include failure to provide accurate financial information and non-compliance with UEFA’s regulations. The hearing began in September 2024 and is expected to conclude in early 2025. Potential penalties range from fines and points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League.
Despite these challenges, Guardiola has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the club. He recently extended his contract with Manchester City until 2026, with an option to extend it further to 2027. This renewal comes amid the club’s struggles, including a series of defeats and the ongoing FFP investigation. Notably, Guardiola’s contract does not include a break clause, indicating his intention to remain with the club regardless of the investigation’s outcome.
In addition to managerial challenges, Manchester City is facing a congested fixture schedule. The club participated in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States, which concluded on July 13, 2025. This left a narrow window before the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Guardiola requested a delay to the start of the domestic season to allow players adequate rest and recovery time. However, the Premier League declined this request, leading to concerns about player fatigue and performance.
The suspension means Guardiola will be absent from the touchline during a series of important matches. Assistant coaches will need to step up to manage the team in his absence. This period will test the squad’s resilience and adaptability as they navigate both domestic and European competitions without their influential manager on the sidelines.
The combination of Guardiola’s suspension, the ongoing FFP investigation, and a demanding fixture list presents a formidable challenge for Manchester City. The club’s ability to maintain focus and performance during this period will be critical in determining their success in the current season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds to these adversities.
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