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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a stark warning: reduce the squad size next season, or he will quit. After Tuesday’s 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth, Guardiola revealed his frustration at leaving several players out of the matchday squad, stating it is damaging to his “soul” and unacceptable to have many players sidelined for long periods. Despite a strong bench featuring talents like Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis, Guardiola made clear he does not want to manage a bloated roster. “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,” the 54-year-old Spaniard said. Guardiola explained the difficulty of managing 24 or more players, where many are left “at home” because they can’t play. He wants a leaner squad to maintain harmony and better team spirit, which he feels was lacking this season. “We lost a bit of the connection between players this season because the squad was too big. It is impossible for my soul to leave so many players watching from the stands,” he added. Man City currently have 28 first-team players registered on their website, plus four out on loan. Under Premier League rules, clubs can name a 25-man squad plus unlimited under-21 players. Guardiola has preferred a smaller core group, as he did going into the 2023/24 season with just 20 senior players. This contrasts with other clubs like Chelsea (31 players), Brighton, Tottenham, and Wolves (around 29-30 players), while Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest operate with smaller squads of 24-25 players. The issue of squad size gains urgency as Man City prepare for the summer transfer window following a £200 million January spree that brought in new signings like Khusanov and Echeverri. Kevin De Bruyne is confirmed to leave this summer, and Jack Grealish’s future remains uncertain. When asked about potential player exits, Guardiola deferred to the club but stressed the need to avoid a massive squad: “I don’t want to have 24, 25, 26 players when everyone is fit. If I have injuries, unlucky, we have some players for the academy and we do it.” With a contract until 2027, Guardiola’s ultimatum signals a defining moment for Manchester City’s squad strategy ahead of a new campaign. Whether the club can meet his demands may well determine if one of football’s most successful managers stays or walks away.
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