Pep Guardiola left fuming as he faces a two-game ban from the sidelines in domestic competitions

Pep Guardiola has joked about going on a holiday while he is suspended from the touchlines. (Image credits – Heute; licence details).

Pep Guardiola has been slammed with a two-game ban from the touchline after he was booked for the sixth time this season during Manchester City’s FA Cup clash against Newcastle United. Man City emerged as comfortable winners, but the Spaniard is set to miss the next two domestic games on the sidelines.

Guardiola was booked as he confronted fourth official Lewis Smith after Kieran Trippier had fouled Jeremy Doku. It made the Man City boss furious at Smith, who appeared to have ignored the offence by the Englishman.

As per the new regulations, Premier League managers are suspended for one game if they receive three yellow cards and banned for two games if they face six yellow cards. Guardiola got booked for the sixth time this season in domestic competitions, resulting in a two-game ban from the sidelines.

This ban will apply only in the league and the FA Cup, not in European competitions or Cup finals. Guardiola will be on the sidelines for the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on 22 March. He will miss out from the touchline in their next league game against West Ham and the FA Cup quarter-final clash on 4 April while their opponents are yet to be decided.

Guardiola was left fuming afterwards as he got to know that his booking would lead to a two-game suspension from the sidelines.

“I will tell you something – we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything,” said the Man City boss in the post-game interview. (sic)

He further added, “We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records, and now I have them: a two-game ban now, and I will go on holiday for the next two games. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand. Review the action. Of course I'm going to defend Doku and all my teams.” (sic)

Can Pep Guardiola's Manchester City still leapfrog Arsenal in the title race?

With hardly nine games left to play, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will aim to leapfrog Arsenal in the title race and clinch yet another Premier League title. The Citizens are seven points behind the Gunners with a game in hand, and they are heading into the final push.

One major advantage Pep Guardiola's side has got in this period is that they carry the experience of winning multiple Premier League titles, and they've repeatedly chased down their competitors late in the season. Liverpool and Arsenal fans would be familiar with this, as Man City are known for their winning streaks late in the season.

Arsenal are no inexperienced challengers this season; their backbone is their defence and midfield, which is second to none in the Premier League. However, despite the defensive solidity, their heavy reliance on set pieces to score goals could turn out to be a problem against Man City. Any sort of slip-up like they did against Wolves a few matchdays back could cost them the title at this stage.

The biggest factor in the title race will be consistency and the ability to handle pressure, as both teams will have challenging fixtures ahead. If Man City can stay in touching distance of the Gunners' until the end of April, they could very well leapfrog Mikel Arteta's side in the title race. Pep Guardiola's side are also yet to play Arsenal at the Etihad, which could turn out to be the potential title decider if it goes down to the wire.