Give me a smaller squad or I’m out – Guardiola tells Man City

Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City that he might quit as manager if the squad is too large next season.

After City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth, Guardiola said it is difficult for him to leave many fit players out of the matchday squad.

Several senior players, including Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis, were not included in the 20-man squad for the game.

He said, “I told the club I don’t want that. I don’t want to leave five or six players not playing. If that happens, I will quit. Make the squad smaller, and I will stay.

“It is hard for me to tell players sitting in the stands they cannot play.

“For months, we struggled with injuries and didn’t have enough defenders. That was difficult. When players returned, it improved, but next season can’t be like this.

“As a manager, I can’t train 24 players and leave four, five, or six at home because they won’t play. That won’t happen. I told the club I don’t want that.”

City spent over £200 million in January on Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis. Echeverri joined permanently after a loan from River Plate.

Kevin De Bruyne is the only confirmed departure this summer. Jack Grealish’s future is uncertain, as he hasn’t started a Premier League match since April 2.

When asked about more departures, Guardiola said, “That’s for the club to decide. I don’t want 24, 25, or 26 players when everyone is fit. If we have injuries, that’s unlucky, and we can use some academy players.”