Pep Guardiola’s 2020 FA Cup bench chat finally explained

A video from the 2020 FA Cup semi‑final between Manchester City and Arsenal showed Pep Guardiola appearing to speak to himself on the bench because the camera angle omitted the person he was addressing. The clip became a meme and was repeatedly referenced, including during Guardiola’s farewell ceremony at Manchester City, where players such as Bernardo Silva joked about the moment and former NBA star Michael Jordan sent a congratulatory message.

On 26 May 2026 the FA Cup released a full‑angle version of the footage, confirming that Guardiola was actually conversing with members of his coaching staff seated out of the original frame. The new video put an end to years of speculation that the manager had been talking to himself.