Pep Guardiola has been handed a two-match touchline ban after receiving his sixth yellow card of the season, meaning the Manchester City manager will be absent from the dugout for upcoming fixtures against Chelsea F.C. and West Ham United F.C..
The suspension comes after Guardiola was booked during City’s recent match following his protests about a challenge on Jérémy Doku. The winger had dribbled past Kieran Trippier before being pulled back from behind, an incident Guardiola strongly believed should have been called a foul.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola defended his reaction, insisting he was simply standing up for his player.
“When Doku dribbles Trippier and goes alone to the box and is pulled from behind, I am not asking for a yellow card — but it’s a foul,” Guardiola said. “I will defend my team.”
The Spanish coach reacted with a mix of frustration and sarcasm about the disciplinary record he now holds.
“We have all the records in this country — all of them — despite everything. Now we have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all the records and now I have it,” he added.
Guardiola joked that the suspension might serve as a brief break after a decade of intense competition in English football.
“Two-game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. Oh my God. There are things after 10 years I still cannot understand,” he said, calling for officials to review the incident involving Doku.
Despite the ban, Guardiola is expected to return to the touchline in time for the EFL Cup Final where Manchester City will face Arsenal F.C..
City’s coaching staff will oversee the team from the sidelines during Guardiola’s absence as the reigning champions continue their push across domestic competitions.
