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Pep Guardiola faced fan abuse after Manchester City's FA Cup final loss, being called a "bald rat" amid rising tensions.
Pep Guardiola was called a “bald rat” by a taunting supporter at Wembley Stadium, adding a bitter sting to Manchester City’s shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
The abuse came as Guardiola walked up the steps toward the Royal Box to collect his runners-up medal after a disappointing end to a trophyless season.
The Manchester City boss remained composed despite the slur, merely glancing at the fan — whose Liverpudlian accent could be clearly heard in video footage that quickly circulated on social media.
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The fan shouted, “20 times you bald rat,” a jab referencing Liverpool’s recent 20th Premier League title win, surpassing Manchester United’s longstanding tally.
"20 Times You Bald Rat" – Fan Fires Verbal Shot at Guardiola
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The footage showed Guardiola walking past fans, many of whom offered supportive handshakes as he climbed the steps.
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But one individual took the opportunity to heckle him in the wake of a painful loss, yelling the abusive line. Guardiola did not react verbally, choosing to keep walking, his focus fixed ahead.
This is not the first time the Spaniard has faced such hostility.
In December, following City’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United, another Liverpudlian fan filmed Guardiola in Manchester and said, “Right mate, just ’cause you lost,” prompting the manager to turn around and approach the individual.
City’s back-to-back FA Cup final defeats now mark a troubling trend for Guardiola, who has often been the standard-bearer for success in English football.
But this season ends without silverware after his side were undone by a brilliant Palace performance and a resilient defensive display.
Post-Match Fireworks: Guardiola and Henderson in Heated Clash
After the final whistle, tensions boiled over again as Guardiola was seen confronting Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson on the pitch.
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The two men exchanged heated words, with Guardiola wagging his finger and Henderson gesturing the number 10 — a likely reference to the minutes of stoppage time played, or perhaps another veiled comment.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner intervened with a congratulatory hug for Henderson, who then delivered a parting shot.
“You got your 10 minutes like you wanted,” Henderson later told BBC Sport he said to Guardiola.
The City manager, however, downplayed the exchange, claiming post-match, “I said nothing.”
Despite the friction, Palace’s players and fans celebrated jubilantly after a dream final. Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal — a composed finish from a Daniel Munoz cross — proved the winner.
City had chances to respond, including a late penalty saved brilliantly by Henderson after Tyrick Mitchell fouled Bernardo Silva.
Crystal Palace’s resolute defending and tactical discipline earned them their first major trophy in decades.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s frustrations culminated in an emotionally charged ending for Guardiola, whose legacy remains immense, but whose season now ends with uncomfortable questions.
“This is incredible,” Henderson told BBC Sport. “We had a feeling it would be our day today. We deserve this so much.”
For Guardiola and City, the focus now shifts to regrouping, with rival fans relishing their rare moment to mock the Premier League giants. As the viral chant echoes — “20 times you bald rat” — Guardiola may be forced to draw from his vast experience to steady a shaken side.
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