Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, is known for his passion for basketball and often attends games in America. He admires Michael Jordan and it seems like the next two months could be like Jordan’s “Last Dance” for some of City’s senior players. The team is preparing for their upcoming FA Cup match against Bournemouth, hoping to reach the semi-finals for the seventh year in a row. Guardiola and his team are still recovering from losing key player Rodri, and a second defeat by Bournemouth could end their chances of winning a trophy this season. Guardiola is looking to get two more months out of his aging squad.
City are the only team in the FA Cup that has won it since Nottingham Forest in 1959. They are favorites to win the trophy again, but they will be facing a strong team, and losing wouldn’t be a huge surprise. A victory against Bournemouth would help City regain their confidence and show that they are still capable of competing for trophies.
Several players’ futures are uncertain, including Ederson, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, and Jack Grealish, while Bernardo Silva continues to attract interest from other clubs. It’s unlikely that all of these players will leave this summer, but some will likely depart. Kyle Walker, who is on loan to Milan, is expected not to return. Guardiola’s team is also dealing with fitness issues, with Ederson, Stones, and De Bruyne missing several games. Guardiola believes that he needs more durable players to keep up with the demands of next season.
City might sign new players before the Club World Cup, which could lead to the sale of some of the current players. De Bruyne’s contract expires in the middle of the tournament, and he has only started 12 of City’s 29 Premier League games this season. Gündogan has been a regular player, but there are questions about whether he can continue at this level for another year. Both players have had significant roles in City’s past successes, but their future contributions are uncertain.
Grealish is also struggling to find form, having played less than a thousand minutes in the Premier League this season. However, he has played every minute of the FA Cup so far and will be eager to continue proving himself. He has just over a year to regain form and secure a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Grealish was trusted by Guardiola in the 2023 Champions League final, but now finds himself often on the bench in crucial matches.
In January, City invested in younger players to help build a new era. These players have only heard about the successes of the older players like De Bruyne, but a final Cup win would provide a fitting farewell for the senior players and allow the younger ones to take over in the next phase of City’s journey.
Guardiola, like Jordan, celebrates his achievements with a cigar, and he hopes to enjoy one last celebration with his loyal players. But before that, he will need to see a strong performance against Bournemouth.
