Guardiola threatens to walk away unless Man City trims the squad
Pep Guardiola has warned he could quit Manchester City if the club gives him an oversized squad next season.
Speaking after City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday, Guardiola expressed concern over the emotional strain of excluding too many fit players from matchday squads.
“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,” he stated.
Several senior players, including Abdukodir Khusanov and Rico Lewis, were omitted from Tuesday’s 20-man squad. City spent over £200 million in January, raising fears of an overcrowded roster.
“It’s impossible for my soul to tell my players in the tribune stands that they cannot play,” Guardiola added.
With Kevin De Bruyne confirmed to leave and Jack Grealish’s future uncertain, Guardiola stressed: “I don’t want to have 24, 25, or 26 players when everyone is fit.”