Pep Guardiola reveals 'actual reason' for Manchester City's defeat in FA Cup final

City lost 2-1 to Man United in the final in May.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has implied that his team were “a little bit hungover” after losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

During his two and a half years as Red Devils’ manager, Erik ten Hag, who was recently fired, won two trophies, including the FA Cup, which United unexpectedly won last season.

To the surprise of many onlookers, United had jumped out to a 2-0 lead at Wembley by halftime, with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

After suffering their first competitive defeat since the Wembley fixture, Guardiola said on Wednesday night: ”This is the news, not that we lose, but how long it has been since we lost. Of course, with the FA Cup final we were a little bit hungover, but it is good news.’‘

🔵😵‍💫 Pep Guardiola: “In the FA Cup final against Manchester United last season we were a little hungover…”. pic.twitter.com/ft4GFTpxIb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 31, 2024

After his team’s loss to Tottenham on Wednesday, Guardiola referred to the FA Cup final defeat and said that his players were “hungover” in that match, indicating that could have cost them the trophy in May.

The Premier League final day, when City won their fourth consecutive league title—a tournament record—was one week prior to the FA Cup final.

Players brought their spouses and girlfriends along for a drunken evening at Greek restaurant Fenix, where Jack Grealish, who began on the bench at Wembley, and Erling Haaland led the celebrations until five in the morning.

A Premier League medal was trickling down the striker’s neck as Grealish and Haaland posed early in the morning, flaunting their watches.

‘Campeones, campeones, ole, ole, ole!’ the players sang and danced as the celebration began in the changing room.

Additionally, it appears that Guardiola has now admitted that the festivities around the win may have gone too far, possibly even costing them another trophy (FA Cup).

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