Pep Guardiola has issued a stark warning regarding his future as Manchester City’s manager. He indicates he may resign if the club fails to trim the squad this summer. He expressed that having a large number of players sidelined is “impossible for my soul.”
Several senior Manchester City players were absent from the matchday squad during Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth. Manager Pep Guardiola expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to exclude so many players from the lineup.
Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis were notably absent from Tuesday’s 20-man matchday squad. Meanwhile, City secured third place in the Premier League, closing in on Champions League qualification by just one point.
Despite showcasing the depth at his disposal, Guardiola has expressed a desire to work with a more streamlined squad in the upcoming season.
He stated, “I informed the club that I do not desire that [a larger squad].” The intention is to avoid sidelining five or six players for an extended period. I am not interested in that. I have decided to resign. Reduce the squad size; I will remain. “It is inconceivable for me to inform my players in the stands that they are unable to participate.”
Guardiola expressed the challenges of consistently excluding players from City’s matchday roster.
For three to four months, the team faced significant challenges in selecting a full roster of 11 players due to a shortage of defenders, making the situation particularly difficult. ” Following that, individuals returned, but it cannot be the same next season,” the 54-year-old remarked.
The challenge for a manager is that training cannot accommodate all 24 players simultaneously. Each selection process necessitates leaving four, five, or six players behind in Manchester, unable to participate in the game. This event is unlikely to take place. ” I expressed to the club my disinterest in that.”
The City invested over £200 million in four players during the January transfer window. Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis have all made their way to the Etihad Stadium. At the same time, Echeverri, a signing from River Plate for 2024, has also joined the squad after a loan period back at the Argentine club.
Kevin de Bruyne has been confirmed as the sole player departing from City this summer. Meanwhile, the future of midfielder Jack Grealish remains uncertain, particularly as he has not started a Premier League match since April 2.
In response to enquiries about the potential for more player departures, Guardiola, who recently extended his contract with the club until 2027, stated, “It is a question for the club.” The preference is to avoid having 24, 25, or 26 players when the entire squad is fit. Guardiola expressed concerns about the sustainability of a large team, emphasising the significance of fostering a more profound connection among players. He noted that this season, the team has lost that vital bond.
Every club in the Premier League is permitted to submit a 25-man squad, although this does not encompass the complete roster of players who are eligible to participate. In addition to the 25-man squad limit, teams have the option to include under-21 players, expanding their roster possibilities.
According to Manchester City’s official website, the club boasts a first-team squad comprising 28 members, including four players currently on loan to other teams.
Guardiola has previously articulated his rationale for favouring a more compact squad, as he approaches the 2023-24 season with 20 senior players at his disposal.
Chelsea’s official website reveals a squad of 31 players, alongside 21 additional players currently out on loan. In contrast, Brighton and Tottenham each report a roster of 29 players, while Wolves have named 30 players in their squad list.
This season, several clubs have smaller squads than Manchester City, including Arsenal, which has only 24 players, and champions Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, and Nottingham Forest, each fielding 25 squad members.
