Pep Guardiola has granted his treble-seeking players the freedom to travel the globe before Manchester City embarks on their final stretch of the season.
City secured a place in the FA Cup final on Saturday with a victory over Southampton and now have an eight-day break before they resume Premier League action against Everton next Monday. Guardiola sees this period as a crucial opportunity for his squad to recharge.
With six matches left to play in the next 21 days, winning all could mark a historic second domestic treble for the team.
Guardiola stated: “We have eight days until our match against Everton in Liverpool. They can do whatever they wish during this time. If they want to travel anywhere, they’re free to do so, as long as they return by Wednesday afternoon for training.”
“I’ve realized that the more days off the team has, the better they perform. Many managers believe that more training leads to better performances, but my approach is different. Training is essential, but arriving fresh for the game is crucial. I’ve learned that over time.”
“Initially, I focused heavily on training, but now I prioritize home and quality time.”
As they approach the end of the season, Guardiola anticipates needing all the players available.
With five games left, City finds themselves trailing Arsenal by three points, despite having played one fewer match. The gap could widen to six points by the time they face Everton, depending on Arsenal’s game results next weekend.
Their schedule is still being finalized due to unarranged matches against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, and the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16 will add to their already busy schedule.
Guardiola emphasized, “I need the entire squad; we cannot sustain this number of games—every three days—without rotating players. It’s simply not feasible. We must manage substitutions effectively, and everyone needs to step up. Of course, I expect more from certain players—I always want more—but this is essential for our success.”
This report includes information from PA.