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Why Pep Guardiola will miss West Ham and Chelsea ties
08th March, 2026 01:02 PM
Pep Guardiola will serve a two-match touchline suspension after receiving his sixth yellow card of the season, meaning the Manchester City manager will miss his side’s upcoming Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and West Ham United.
Guardiola cautioned
The Spanish tactician was cautioned during City’s latest match in the FA Cup against Newcastle United on Saturday, March 7, 2026, triggering an automatic suspension under competition rules for accumulating six bookings.
The former Barcelona coach lost control during the second half of City’s 3-1 FA Cup win at St. James’ Park while protesting against a pull from Kieran Trippier on Jeremy Doku. Guardiola angrily confronted fourth official Lewis Smith before being booked by ref Sam Barrott, and was later pulled back by City staff after the final whistle from the officials.
Guardiola was slapped with a one-game touchline ban last season and another in January 2026, suspensions that saw him watch the FA Cup third round win over Exeter from the stands.
Meanwhile, the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium, has been postponed. This postponement is due to Manchester City’s participation in the EFL Cup final (Carabao Cup) on Sunday, March 22, 2026 against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola will, however, be available for the upcoming Manchester City’s Uefa Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid.
New rules
New rules introduced this season mean Premier League managers are suspended once they receive three yellow cards and that ban applies to FA Cup ties too – although Carabao Cup matches are exempt and classed as a standalone competition.
As a result, Guardiola will not be allowed on the touchline for the next two league encounters. Despite the ban, Guardiola is expected to return in time to lead his side during the highly anticipated EFL Cup Final, where City are set to face Arsenal.
Guardiola’s absence will see members of his coaching staff take charge of matchday touchline duties while the treble-winning manager serves his suspension from the stands.
The two league matches could prove crucial in City’s domestic campaign as they battle for momentum in the latter stages of the season, with Arsenal not relenting in their title charge.
However, the club will be relieved that their manager will be available for the cup final showdown against Arsenal, a match that could deliver another major trophy for the Manchester side.
Guardiola, known for his animated presence on the sidelines, has occasionally found himself in the referee’s notebook this season while passionately directing his team. The suspension now forces City to navigate two key fixtures without their influential manager in the technical area.
