Pep Guardiola says he asked for Manchester City's Premier League game against Bournemouth to be moved from next Tuesday, believing it should "definitely" be played later in the week.
City face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday (kick-off 16:30 BST) and host the Cherries just three days later as they attempt to finish in the Premier League's top five, having dropped down to sixth place following Friday night wins for both Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Scheduling City's game against Bournemouth for next Wednesday would have clashed with the all-English Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United.
Guardiola, though, pointed to Tottenham's Premier League game at Aston Villa being brought forward two days from the original date of 18 May to give them more time to prepare for the European final.
He saw that as an indication of the league having the ability to be flexible.
Asked if he would have preferred the Bournemouth game to be pushed back to the Wednesday or Thursday, Guardiola replied: "Definitely."
City's Spanish manager added: "Tottenham Hotspur play against Aston Villa on Friday [because of] the Europa League final, yeah? Good decision.
"Honestly, I am not making irony or being sarcastic, the Premier League made a good decision, very good."
