Pep Guardiola to miss Manchester City’s FA Cup showdown with Liverpool – Replacement named | OneFootball

Manchester City will take on Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals next month without Pep Guardiola in the dugout, it has been confirmed.

The 55-year-old finds himself in a disciplinary predicament following a touchline outburst during Manchester City’s 1-3 FA Cup fifth-round victory over Newcastle United on March 7 at St James’ Park.

Guardiola was cautioned by referee Sam Barrott after a heated confrontation with fourth official Lewis Smith regarding a challenge on Jeremy Doku, marking his sixth domestic booking of the 2025/26 campaign.

Why Guardiola is Banned for Liverpool but Fit for Wembley

Under the Football Association’s current disciplinary framework, a sixth yellow card triggers an automatic two-match touchline suspension – a ban that does not apply to European fixtures or the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s suspension in the FA Cup does carry over into the Premier League and the next stages of the tournament, leaving the Blues without their leader for an upcoming top-flight visit to the London Stadium.

In light of that same two-match touchline ban, it can now also be confirmed that the Manchester City head coach will not be able to guide his team from the dugout in the FA Cup quarter-final stage against Liverpool.

The Lijnders Reunion: Why City’s Assistant is the Perfect Replacement

The two sides will battle it out in the last-eight of the competition in early April, and with Guardiola suspended, the 55-year-old’s assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders will be on the touchline against his former club.

Lijnders’ lead in the fixture adds a narrative layer to an already exciting quarter-final, with the Dutchman joining City as assistant manager following Jurgen Klopp’s approval, spending nearly a decade at Anfield and instrumental in Liverpool’s successes prior to Arne Slot’s arrival.

While Pep Guardiola will be permitted to communicate with staff from the stands, mid-match tactical adjustments will fall primarily on Lijnders and fellow coach Kolo Toure with a place in a Wembley semi-final up for grabs.