Pep Guardiola Pushes Back as Manchester City Fight Marc Guehi Carabao Cup Ban Ahead of Wembley Final
Pep Guardiola has never been shy about challenging authority, and the Manchester City manager is once again taking on English football’s rulebook — this time in defence of Marc Guehi. As City prepare for a blockbuster Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley, Guardiola has confirmed the club will formally appeal to the authorities in an attempt to make their January signing eligible for the showpiece occasion.
City may have cruised past Newcastle in the semi-finals, but the fallout from that tie has been anything but routine. Instead of talking purely about tactics or form, Guardiola found himself railing against what he described as an “illogical” regulation that has left one of his newest players watching from the stands.
Pep Guardiola Questions Carabao Cup Rules Over Marc Guehi
Manchester City secured their place at Wembley with a composed 3-1 win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, completing a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory. Yet the result was almost overshadowed by the continued absence of Guehi, who was ineligible for both legs of the semi-final after joining from Crystal Palace in January.
Under current Carabao Cup regulations, players must be registered before the first leg of a semi-final to be eligible for the second. Because Guehi arrived after that deadline, he was barred from involvement — a restriction that, remarkably, now extends to the final itself.
For Guardiola, that logic simply does not add up.
“Now it’s the final, so why should he not play? Why not?” Guardiola asked, visibly frustrated. “We pay his salary. We hire him as our player. It’s logic. He’s not able to play because of a rule that I don’t understand.”
City, he confirmed, will submit a formal letter to the English Football League, appealing for Guehi to be cleared to face Arsenal later this month.
Manchester City’s £20m Investment Left on the Sidelines
Guardiola’s irritation is rooted not just in principle, but in practicality. City spent around £20 million to bring Guehi to the Etihad, viewing the England international as a key piece in strengthening their defensive options during the season’s decisive phase.
To be unable to call on that investment in a major final feels, in Guardiola’s eyes, detached from the modern realities of football.
“You pay a lot of money and I can’t understand why you can’t play him in the final,” he said. “Hopefully they can understand. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand.”
The City manager also highlighted the strange consequences of a two-legged semi-final system. Missing the second leg because of non-registration before the first, he suggested, is at least procedurally understandable. Extending that punishment to a one-off final at Wembley weeks later, however, crosses a line.
Scepticism as Pep Guardiola Eyes the Rulebook
Despite his passionate defence of Guehi, Guardiola remains realistic — some would say cynical — about City’s chances of winning the argument. English football’s administrators, in his experience, rarely bend.
When asked whether he genuinely believed the rule could be overturned, Guardiola’s response was telling.
“No,” he said flatly. “To change the rule in this country? No way. We will try.”
It is a familiar refrain. Over the years, Guardiola has clashed with authorities over fixture congestion, player welfare and scheduling, often expressing disbelief at what he sees as outdated thinking. This latest dispute feels like another chapter in that ongoing tension.
Wembley Looms as City Prepare for Arsenal
While lawyers and administrators prepare for a behind-the-scenes battle, City’s focus on the pitch remains sharp. Their demolition of Newcastle underlined the depth and firepower still available to Guardiola, even without Guehi.
Omar Marmoush continued his scintillating form with a well-taken brace, showing exactly why City moved quickly to secure his services. Tijjani Reijnders added a third, ensuring Anthony Elanga’s strike for Newcastle was little more than a footnote.
That win set up a mouth-watering Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on March 22 — a meeting between two sides expected to contest honours deep into the season.
Marc Guehi Absence Adds Tactical Headache
If the appeal fails, Guardiola may be forced into a defensive reshuffle against one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking units. Arsenal’s pace, movement and pressing intensity could test City’s back line, making Guehi’s potential absence more than just a symbolic issue.
The 25-year-old’s composure, athleticism and Premier League experience were central to City’s decision to sign him mid-season. Not being able to deploy him on English football’s grandest domestic stage feels, to Guardiola, like an unnecessary handicap.
From Arsenal’s perspective, the situation is unlikely to draw sympathy. Finals are decided by margins, and any uncertainty in City’s preparation only sharpens the intrigue.
More Than Just Marc Guehi: A Wider Debate
Beyond the specifics of this case, Guardiola’s outburst has reignited a broader discussion about competition rules and their relevance in the modern game. With transfer windows open mid-competition and squads evolving rapidly, rigid eligibility regulations increasingly feel out of step.
Whether City succeed or not, the issue is unlikely to disappear. As football grows more complex, pressure will continue to mount on governing bodies to balance fairness with flexibility.
For now, though, Guardiola can only wait.
Manchester City will send their letter, make their case, and prepare for Arsenal with or without Marc Guehi. And as ever with Pep, logic will be his guiding principle — even if the rulebook refuses to listen.
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