Can Oliver Glasner solve Pep Guardiola puzzle? The men in charge at FA Cup final

Oliver Glasner and Pep Guardiola’s last meeting ended with a stern caution from the Crystal Palace boss to Manchester City’s serial trophy-winner: “If we meet again, you can’t play in this system, because we will solve it.”

One month on from that 5-2 Eagles defeat by the 2024 Premier League champions, the Austrian will find out if Saturday’s Spanish counterpart heeded his warning when the two meet in the FA Cup final.

Here, we look at the two men leading out the sides at Wembley.

Pep Guardiola

Guardiola is looking for a silver lining after a fruitless season he conceded has been the “most difficult” of his glittering 16-year managerial career.

City have two Premier League meetings remaining in a close battle to lock up a place in the Champions League again next season, while there will be another opportunity to fight for a trophy when the Club World Cup debuts in June.

Nevertheless, the 54-year-old concedes the lacklustre campaign has taken its toll.

“It’s been more demanding – much more,” said the 54-year-old.

“When you don’t win it’s more demanding emotionally and (in terms of) preparing and the moods and everything.

“It’s been more difficult than the previous seasons when we played for the titles.”

Guardiola has won 18 trophies with City and 39 across his managerial career, but revealed he still feels constant pressure to back up his reputation with results.

He added: “I didn’t find the way to let them feel comfortable and winning the games that would help us to win more games.

“I’m disappointed in myself when it’s not going well. I have to prove myself again and again. Life doesn’t live from memories.”

Oliver Glasner

Even Eagles boss Glasner admits he is surprised to find himself on the precipice of guiding