Pep Guardiola wants tight squad or he will walk away.

Pep Guardiola has issued a firm ultimatum to Manchester City: reduce the first-team squad size, or he will consider stepping down as manager. Following a challenging season without silverware and ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup, Guardiola expressed his discomfort with the current 28-player squad, emphasizing that managing such a large group is “impossible for my soul.” He highlighted the emotional toll of leaving numerous fit players out of matchday selections and insisted on a streamlined squad to continue as manager .(Reuters, The Irish Sun)

Despite his contract extension until 2027, Guardiola’s demand reflects his long-standing preference for smaller squads. He believes that a more manageable team allows for better focus, improved training quality, and stronger team cohesion. Several players may now be at risk of transfer or release as the club contemplates necessary changes to satisfy their manager’s directive .

This development is critical as Manchester City strategizes to recover and rebuild after recent setbacks in the Premier League.