Some FA Cup-Halve finals must be switched to northern England, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, whose party has not succeeded in selling thousands of tickets for the FA Cup collision against Nottingham Forest in Wembley.
For City it is the seventh consecutive time that they have reached this phase of the competition and Guardiola feels that the cumulative costs of travel to London and Match tickets – which vary from £ 45 to £ 150 – is the reason that they have not sold their 34,000 allocation and are sold by forest fans on Sunday afternoon.
“One day in the FA Cup we can play these games in the north and teams can come to Old Trafford or the Etihad, or Anfield or Everton,” Guardiola said.
'People around the world suffer economically and I realize that it is not easy for them. I understand. We would love it if they could be there and we will play for those who come to Wembley, and those who want that but can't.
'I'm pretty sure they would all like to be there, it's just not possible for them. I am close enough to them to understand that perfectly.
“It's hard because of the trip, the people who have to be working on Monday and maybe come back late on Sunday, the prices, the tickets.”
Forest has been offered extra tickets to fill the stadium and Guardiola is prepared for the challenge of what an away game can feel if he reaches a third consecutive FA Cup final.
“We have to do it with or without them (city fans),” he said.
The FA Cup remains the last chance of the city on silverware this season. They met Manchester United in the last two finals and defeated in 2023 to win the Treble, but lost to Erik ten Hag's team last year.
In the meantime, Guardiola regards Kevin De Bruyne's career in Manchester City as one of the most difficult moments in his management career. De Bruyne, generally considered the largest player in the history of the city, admitted that he felt shocked by not being offered a new contract and was able to participate in a Premier League rival for next season. The 33-year-old said, “I still think I can perform at this level.”
In anticipation of Sunday's semi -final, Guardiola appealed to the situation for the first time. “The feeling he has, I fully understand,” said Guardiola.
“He has behaved incredibly all these years and it will happen to the end. He trained really well. It is by far one of the most difficult parts of my work. I have lived many things with these players. Good moments, terrible moments. I could make a long list during the nine years, Sergio (Aguero), David Silva.
“They are part of my life. It is impossible that you don't feel it – it cannot be different. Of course it is so difficult. '
Captining City to the FA Cup would be the perfect farewell to the Belgian.