Will Pep Guardiola miss Carabao Cup final after picking up two-game suspension against Newcastle United? | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been handed a two-game touchline ban after picking up his sixth yellow card of the season in domestic competitions against Newcastle United.

City progressed to the FA Cup quarter-final with a 3-1 comeback win over Newcastle United on Saturday night as a brace from Omar Marmoush and a goal from Savinho canceled a first-half opener from Harvey Barnes at St. James’ Park.

The Blues remain in the running for an unprecedented quadruple and returned to winning ways in Tyneside after seeing their winning run across all competitions come to a halt at six games against Nottingham Forest in midweek.

Guardiola grabbed the headlines in the second-half of City’s FA Cup fifth round win over Newcastle United after displaying his outrage at Jeremy Doku not drawing a foul despite appearing to have been pulled back on the counter.

What does the touchline ban mean for Pep Guardiola?

The Manchester City manager was shown a yellow card by match official Sam Barrott and while the Blues will make a happy journey back to the north-west, there are ramifications of his caution for Guardiola.

The 55-year-old will now serve a two-game touchline suspension after collecting his sixth yellow card in domestic competitions this campaign in Saturday’s 3-1 win at St. James’ Park.

Guardiola will miss Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League meeting with West Ham on March 15 as well as the FA Cup quarter-final in early April, though the Blues are yet to learn their opponents for the latter.

Notably, the touchline ban does not extend to the Carabao Cup and Guardiola will hence be allowed on the touchline in the final against Arsenal at Wembley on March 22.

What did Pep Guardiola say after receiving a yellow card against Newcastle United?

Guardiola was passionate in his defence of Doku as he doubled down on his antics on the touchline in frustration at another refereeing decision going against Manchester City.

In his post-match press conference, the Catalan said: “When Jeremy Doku dribbles (Kieran) Trippier and goes alone to the box and is being pulled from behind, I’m not asking for a yellow card but it’s a foul. I will defend my team.

“I will tell you something – we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything. We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records and now I have it.

“Two game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. Oh my god. Oh my god. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action. Of course I’m going to defend Doku and all my teams. They continue to do it.”

What is next for Manchester City?

A trip to Madrid awaits the Blues, who made a staggering 10 changes to their starting XI for the FA Cup fifth round as Matheus Nunes was the sole player who retained his place in the lineup from the midweek draw against Nottingham Forest.

Erling Haaland did not travel to the north-east as Manchester City and Guardiola look to rest their number nine ahead of a series of crucial games in the next fortnight – including the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal in two weeks.

City have it all to do in the Premier League title race as they look to cut down Arsenal’s seven point lead in their final nine games of the campaign, with the Blues hosting Mikel Arteta and co at the Etihad Stadium in a potential title-deciding fixture in April.

Guardiola will be delighted with how his side reacted to an underwhelming start at St. James’ Park on Saturday night – and the likes of Marmoush and Savinho, who starred in attack for the Blues against the Magpies, will definitely give the Catalan a selection headache for the Santiago Bernabeu.