Pep Guardiola has issued a shock ultimatum to Manchester City, warning that he will walk away from the club if they continue to maintain an overloaded squad next season. Despite signing a contract extension until 2027, the Spanish manager has made it clear that he won’t tolerate having too many players left out of matchday squads.
Pep Guardiola frustration stems from the difficulty of squad selection when too many top-quality players are available. In City’s recent 3-1 win over Bournemouth, talented stars like James McAtee, Savinho, and Rico Lewis were left out entirely. The manager finds it emotionally draining to repeatedly exclude players who deserve minutes.
Pep Guardiola
“I told the club I don’t want this,” Pep Guardiola said. “I don’t want five or six players sitting in the stands. If this continues, I’ll leave. Reduce the squad, and I’ll stay. My soul can’t handle seeing players not getting the chance to play.”
Pep Guardiola believes a smaller, tighter-knit squad improves team chemistry and performance. He argues that constantly rotating players can disrupt momentum and lead to dips in form.
“I don’t want 24, 25, or 26 fully fit players. If injuries happen, we can promote academy talents. But maintaining this many players hurts our connection and passion. We’ve already lost a lot this season because of it.”
Manchester City now faces a critical decision:
- Trim the squad to keep Guardiola happy.
- Risk losing him if they maintain a large roster.
With Guardiola’s future hanging in the balance, the club must choose between depth and stability under one of football’s greatest managers. Will City comply, or could this be the beginning of the end for Guardiola’s reign?