Why Pep Guardiola's stance on FA Cup sets Man City boss apart from rival greats

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There were so many reasons why English football fell in love with Pep Guardiola.

Forget Manchester City for a minute. Football is far too tribal to expect rival fans to like City because they have been the most successful team in English football for the past decade. But Guardiola commands respect for what he has achieved and, specifically, the way he has embraced our traditions like the FA Cup.

His record in football’s greatest and most historic domestic cup competition is remarkable. Guardiola has won it twice, reached the final on two other occasions and been in eight consecutive semi finals.

This is a manager who has come to the Premier League and rather than rest and rotate, disrespect the trophy, he has written his name into the FA Cup history books.

Guardiola is the biggest name in management, one of the greatest of all time - surely the best of the Premier League era - and yet he loves the tradition of it all.

It is hard to believe they have lost their last two FA Cup finals - against Crystal Palace and Manchester United - and they are back for more as red-hot favourites.

There is nothing which beats a glorious sunny day at Wembley in May for the FA Cup final and it is as if Guardiola just relishes the occasion.

He has been such great fun this season. A cheeky smile, even a giggle as he left the press conference room the other day as he said: “Come On Yon Irons” and did the West Ham gesture.

West Ham were playing Arsenal the next day and Guardiola was in mischievous mood. His support did not work - but it was a brilliant moment.

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This is a manager who looks like he is enjoying himself. He has built a new team, it has already won the Carabao Cup this season and he is still eyeing the Treble because they could win the FA Cup and snatch the title from Arsenal.

But the expectations have not been as great. And you can see he is enjoying that. Arsenal are expected to win the title and were favourites for the Carabao Cup. Guardiola upset them once - and is not giving up.

Now they have Chelsea in their sights and Guardiola’s future is certain to be a topic of discussion because he has been at City for ten years and he might move on. Maybe that is why he looks a bit demob happy this season. He does not look under pressure, he looks like he is enjoying every minute and taking it all in.

He has left his imprint on the English game. Great football, the inverted full back, playing out from the back. He has raised standards.

It should be a great final - a real classic between two giant, juggernaut clubs with so much at stake.

You can be sure Guardiola will cherish the occasion, take it all in and try to add another chapter to his love story with English football.

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