"Make a shorter squad, I will stay" – Pep threatens board members to quit if City squad size not reduced

Time of India

21-05-2025

Image Source: Getty
Pep Guardiola
has issued a shocking mandate to Manchester City's board, which has sent the club into turmoil. The Spanish coach is ready to quit for the
Premier League
giants if the club does not trim its oversized roster before the following season.
His statements come at a crucial moment as City looks to bounce back after the latest Premier League match with Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola issues bold ultimatum
"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,"
declared Guardiola in a passionate statement following City's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth.
The 54-year-old manager, who recently signed a contract extension keeping him at the Etihad until 2027, expressed deep discomfort at regularly having to leave several first-team players out of matchday squads.
During the Bournemouth game, talented youngsters, including Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis, all missed out on the 20-man squad.
"It's impossible for my soul to tell my players in the tribune that they cannot play,"
Guardiola added, clearly troubled by the human aspect of managing an oversized squad.
Also read:
Pep Guardiola defends season by highlighting Community Shield victory
Players who could be at risk
With Guardiola's demands for a slimmer squad, several players may find themselves on the transfer list this summer. Kevin De Bruyne is already confirmed to be leaving City, while
Jack Grealish
's future remains uncertain after limited Premier League starts in recent months.
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City spent over £200 million on four players in January alone, bringing in Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis. Claudio Echeverri also joined following a loan spell at River Plate in Argentina.
The manager has historically preferred working with smaller groups. Heading into the 2023-24 season, Guardiola operated with just 20 senior players, significantly fewer than many Premier League rivals.
Why Guardiola prefers smaller squads
Guardiola believes maintaining a smaller squad is crucial for team chemistry and player happiness.
"It is important for the soul of the team that players create another connection with each other, that this season we lost a bit,"
he explained.
The Spanish tactician sees the current arrangement as unsustainable.
"As a manager, I cannot train 24 players and every time I select I have to have four, five, six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play.
This is not going to happen."
As of now, Manchester City's website shows the first team made up of 28 squad members, with an additional four players recorded as being on loan. This is in stark contrast to what Guardiola perceives to be the ideal scenario. The situation poses a difficult problem for the City's management, who must decide whether to support their manager's wish or gamble on losing one of football's greatest riches.
City's transfer plans will be closely watched as they try to balance their manager's preference not to have a bloated squad with the need for more depth.
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