Pep Guardiola has declared that he would consider stepping down as Manchester City manager if he is handed a large squad following the upcoming transfer window. The Spaniard expressed frustration at the difficulty of having to leave several senior players out of the matchday group, citing emotional and managerial challenges.
Following Tuesday’s 3-1 victory against Bournemouth, where City climbed to third in the Premier League table and moved within reach of Champions League qualification, Guardiola was forced to omit several notable names from the squad. Abdukodir Khusanov, Savinho, James McAtee, Claudio Echeverri, and Rico Lewis were all absent from the 20-man lineup.
Despite the impressive depth available to him, Guardiola made it clear that he has no desire to manage a bloated squad next season. “I told the club I don’t want this. If I have to leave players out regularly, I’ll leave. Keep the group tighter and I’ll continue,” he said.
The 54-year-old admitted it takes a toll on him when he has to exclude players from the matchday experience. “It’s impossible for my soul. I can’t work with 24 players and have five or six left behind every match.”
City’s transfer activity and squad concerns
Manchester City made significant additions in January, spending over £200 million on four players: Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis. Echeverri also officially joined the squad after returning from his loan period at River Plate.
With Kevin de Bruyne the only confirmed departure so far and uncertainty surrounding Jack Grealish’s future, Guardiola hinted that further exits may be required to avoid a crowded roster. “That’s for the club to decide,” he stated. “I just don’t want to work with a group of 24, 25, or 26 players when everyone is healthy. If we’re short, we have young players who can step in.”
Guardiola emphasized that a smaller team allows for stronger connections between players, something he believes has been missing this season. “It’s important for the soul of the group. We lost that a bit,” he admitted.
Comparison with other Premier League squads
While Premier League rules permit each club to register a 25-man squad, players under 21 are not counted toward that total and can still be used in matches. Manchester City’s official site lists 28 senior players, along with four currently out on loan.
Guardiola has previously spoken in favor of a leaner team, opting to begin the 2023/24 campaign with 20 first-team players. By comparison, Chelsea’s website names 31 players in their squad, with an additional 21 out on loan. Brighton and Tottenham each list 29 players, while Wolves have 30.
Several top-flight clubs, including Arsenal (24 players), as well as Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, and Nottingham Forest (each with 25), are operating with smaller groups than City this season.
