Pep Guardiola has issued a stark warning to Manchester City, stating he may consider stepping down as manager if he is handed an oversized squad for the upcoming season.
Following City’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday, the Spaniard opened up about the emotional strain of having to leave fully fit players out of the matchday squad. High-profile names such as Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis were all left out of the 20-man list for the game.
“I said to the club, I don’t want that. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad; I will stay,” Guardiola said bluntly.
“It’s impossible for my soul to [tell] my players in the tribune [stands] that they cannot play.
Maybe three or four months we couldn’t select 11 players; we didn’t have defenders, it was so difficult. After, people came back, but next season it cannot be like that.
As a manager, I cannot train 24 players, and every time I select, I have to have four, five, or six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play. This is not going to happen. I said to the club, I don’t want that.”
Guardiola’s concerns come after City’s lavish spending in the January transfer window, which saw over £200 million invested in new signings, including Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis. Claudio Echeverri also officially joined from River Plate following a loan spell.
Despite this influx of talent, the only confirmed departure from the squad so far is Kevin De Bruyne, while Jack Grealish’s future remains uncertain. The England midfielder hasn’t started a Premier League game since April 2.
When asked about potential exits to trim the squad, Guardiola deflected to club leadership but reiterated his stance on squad size.
“It is a question for the club. I don’t want to have 24, 25, or 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players for the academy, and we do it,” he added.
Guardiola, whose contract runs until 2027, appears committed to staying — but only if the club supports his vision of a more streamlined, manageable squad.
